Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Removing Exhaust Brake

[#crnxr]

I bought my truck with a PacBrake installed. Is there any trick to removing it? I don't tow all that often and when I do it's about 4000 pounds. Any tips, tricks, or parts I'll need to put back on? Thanks.



-Kyle

 

[Cowboy Medic]

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to take it off? I use mine all the time whether I am pulling or not. 104,000 miles and still original brake pads and rotors still look great. Mostly because I hardly ever really use them. Unless there is something wrong with it I would leave it on and use it. Extra braking power is always a good thing.

 

[#crnxr]

I wasn't sure about the E-brake's effect on the transmission's longevity. I have heard that automatic transmissions with exhaust brakes will prematurely wear their torque converters out. On a related note, should my '96 have the heavy duty exhaust springs (60#?) in it from the factory?

 

[dremelts]

If you do remove it you will need to replace the butterfly valve elbow with the original elbow that connects the turbo outlet to the exhause downpipe.

 

[illflem]

The brake won't cause any transmission problems if you don't turn it on. I'd leave it in place rather than switching back and forth since it won't hurt anything else.

 

[Joe G.]

Kyle,



The exhaust brake is really worthless on an automatic if you have no way to keep the torque converter locked. There is a lot of info on this subject. Search this forum for more. I use my Pacbrake all the time with my auto trans.

 

[#crnxr]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll keep it on the truck and just not used it until future transmission upgrades and heavier towing. I'm not sure if I have the 60# springs in this truck since I've heard PacBrakes can come either way. Looking at future bombs with a 3K GSK that'll probably require them for safety's sake. Can anyone tell me what weight spring came standard on the '96 2500 49 state version (180HP)?

 

[dremelts]

Stock springs on a 96 would be the 30# ones, I don't think the 60# springs were standard until the 24 valve.