Rear Discs

[TKirby]

OK... I've read posts saying these were great and others saying they were not so great, spongy pedal, etc. Is there a concensus on whether these are worth pursuing? I saw the EGR ad in the current TDR magazine and it looks great. They have a summer special running with a complete setup for under $600 for the 1st gen trucks. I have so many questions I don't even know where to begin. Will it add value to the truck? I have both my backing plates off the rearend right now, and I have to replace all the rear brake lines as well, so now's the time.

My backing plates and all the hardware is VERY crusty (the ebrake arm, bolt, spring, etc. that don't come in a brake hardware kit). I'm not pleased with having to put them back on, but I don't seem to have much choice. I can't find replacements so they're sitting in my parts washer at the moment, but even if I could find replacements, costwise it's looking about even with swapping to discs. Having an emergency brake is important to me.

Has anyone here used the EGR setup on their rig? Do they use the same Cadillac calipers? I'd consider just getting their mounting brackets and then finding and rebuilding calipers on my own if it'd save a considerable amount. Since I'm having to order everything and wait on it (no one has these drums in stock). Also, does the RWAL system work with rear discs or does it need to be bypassed?

Todd K.

 

[BHiggins]

I just did my rears a little less than a year ago, I did everything except the backing plates... New drums, wheel cylinders, shoes, hardware kits, e-brake cables, adjusters, grease seals, etc for less than $600. 00 including labor. If I recall correctly, the drums were the biggest chunk at around $100. 00 a piece, but there were PLENTY of them available. I researched the disc conversion for the first gens (after I did the rears) and the general feeling I got was that most of the guys that converted to disc weren't happy with it. I'm glad I stuck with the drums. If you're having a problem locating drums, drop me a PM and I'll look into it here in New York.

Brian

 

[RWWinslow]

I did the EGR rear brake conversion with the Chevy calipers 4 years ago and it has been very successful. At that time I could not find the necessary parts needed to completely rebuild the rear drums - I understand that the parts are now more plentiful. This has worked fine for me . . . . basically it is an economic decision.

 

[TKirby]

Where can one get all the other hardware that goes onto the backing plate? Mine is rusted beyond what I'm comfortable with. I have purchased a new hardware kit but it only came with springs and the cable adjusters. I also got new adjusters, and the lever (and spring) that "clicks" against the adjuster. I also purchased new cylinders (1 1/8" is what was on it) and new shoes, but I need the rest of the stuff... the anchor bolt, the ebrake lever, the small spring that keeps the lever from rattling, etc. No place I've been lists this stuff... I haven't tried the dealer. On the emergency brake cables, I also need the find the little clips that fit over the end of the cable and holds it in the lever arm. I'm ready to just bead blast what I have, including the backing plates, but some of the parts are really too weakened by rust to fully trust.

Plus, I still need to find that brass fitting that fits onto the antilock valve or else I have to bypass the ABS system, which I really don't want to do... however I don't want to sink $100 into another valve just for that fitting.

 

[DBF]

OK... I've read posts saying these were great and others saying they were not so great, spongy pedal, etc. Is there a concensus on whether these are worth pursuing?

Having an emergency brake is important to me. Has anyone here used the EGR setup on their rig? Do they use the same Cadillac calipers? I'd consider just getting their mounting brackets and then finding and rebuilding calipers on my own if it'd save a considerable amount. Since I'm having to order everything and wait on it (no one has these drums in stock). Also, does the RWAL system work with rear discs or does it need to be bypassed?

Todd K.

I installed the (then) EGR kit in Feb 2003, some 62,000 miles ago. I've been satisfied with it (not overjoyed). They work all right and save the crap with the disfunctional adjusters. Some have said they make the pedal feel "soft" and that something more should have been done in the kit to make it as stiff as it formerly was. I didn't find that to be a big deal. The (then) EGR kit used the Cadillac calipers. The emergency brake works with it. I installed the three armored hoses at the same time.



Naturally, something happened 7,000 miles from home. The right rear all of a sudden started grinding; it was 300 more miles to Anchorage, so I continued. The rotor, pad, and caliper were screwed up by then.



I played with Midas and other local resources and finally wound up with Midas-stocked calipers and pads, and rotors that Midas stocks but can still be found as 1985 Ford F250 heavy-duty rotors if you have them laying around. The emergency brake function is incorporated in these calipers.



We finished the trip back from Alaska to Florida with this configuration, towing the 5er (total weight of the 92 D250 and the 00 Jayco is 14,000#) without problems.



Part numbers available on request.



Regards, DBF