2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Front Brakes on my 95 2500...

[CharlieFoxtrot]

OK, I didn't catch that. In fact, the 8500 pads fit fine on my old rotors but not on my new ones.



Still, I contend new parts for the correct application should fit with any combination of correct new or old parts.



I have spent several years as a mechanic, many years as a parts salesman, and many more as a truck fleet manager, as well as a lifetime as a do-it-yourselfer. I've never run into a problem like this.



kevin

 

[HHhuntitall]

Well, I'll certainly agree with you there. There is no excuse for producing a part that won't function properly from the beginning. Albiet, I think a lot of the problem lies with untrained parts professionals not being so professional. Thier lack of training in such a technical field is a disaster waiting to happen. It's a conversation I've had several times with employees and the manager of our local Oriely's parts store. Luckily, I'm fortunate enough to have somewhat competent people working there. Between the Medium duty trucks, farm tractors, and a million custom projects, they have gotten to know me better than some of them care to. Is it bad when the local parts store calls you for advice when selling parts?! HA! It's even worse when the local Dodge house calls you for advice on how to time a P-7100 injection pump! The kids I talk to don't even know how to unlock the pump when installing! And these guys have been to technical college and are "liscensed" mechanics?!?! WTH?!? I know my grandfather hated to order parts through the local parts store for his trucking company. Most parts he tried to get for himself directly, to avoid mistakes, and that was 40 years ago!!

 

[WilsonF]

I don't know how many time I have changed pads on different vehicles and never have I had the rotors turned, even when I know I should have.

Floyd

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

Calipers at NAPA had pistons no more retracted than mine were, so no caliper problem. 7500 pads were thinner, and I got a set and put them in. I did have to bend the spring clip on the back of the inside pad a bit so it grabbed the piston fully. Because of that, I'm not convinced this was the _correct_ solution to my problem, but if it isn't, I don't know what is.

Hey y'all--



I found my problem! Somewhere in the 175K miles before I got it, the calipers were replaced with 7500GVW units. #@$%!



The casting surrounding the piston bore on the 8800s is visibly much larger, so it was clear as soon as I looked that I had different parts. With new rotors, the new 8800 calipers loaded with new Carbomet pads fit easily over the rotors because the caliper bridge is much wider.



I'm doing so many repairs and upgrades all at once (see brake info in sig) I won't be able to identify the improvement given by each step, which is a real bummer. But I can't wait to have my awesome new brakes all finished! Oo.



later

kevin

 

[surfbeetle]

Glad you got yours figured out. In my case, I have owned the truck for the last 17 years and I am the only one who has done any brake work, I'm still running the original calipers. At some point, I will change out the calipers for new ones. At that point I'll make sure I get the 8800's, but with my luck, they won't fit...

 

[JCyrbok]

A little tip. When I do a brake job, I open the bleeder before I compress the caliper or piston. Helps get fresh brake fluid in the system. I don't like flushing the nasty used brake fluid back up into the lines. Sometimes I use a turkey baster to remove fluid from the master reservoir and wipe it clean with a lint free cloth before refilling.

I do the same thing (speed bleeders for the win on this one). Plus I am sure the OP has checked this, but I have run into this in the past. I have found on occasion that part of the pad backing rusts to the piston face and stays there when the old pad comes out making the new pad seemingly not fit. That and the squeel quiet goop sometimes builds up and does the same.



Hope this helps

J-

 

[surfbeetle]

Nope, that wasn't it for me. (OP)

 

[radyvolk]

I had the same problem with my 94 & my 99 2500. So I think from the factory these trucks came with the 7500lb front brakes even though the sticker says 8800lb. The 8800lb calibers have the wider web & also about a 1/4" larger piston. Also the rotors are thicker. This winter when I replaced pads on the 99 2500 I replaced the rotors, but NAPA no longer carries the thicker rotor for the 8800lb, had to use the 7500lb rotors.