2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission So what's the BEST brake fix?

[Bart]

I've done the EGR front slotted rotors, SS brake lines, 5. 1 brake fluid, rear GM wheel cylinders and things are "ok" as long as I keep the rears manually adjusted. That's a PITA. What are the pros and cons of the EGR rear disc brakes? Is there any other opinions?

 

[GKarpen]

Some guys say the rear parking brake does not hold well. MINE DO. I had a forklift slide a 4000 lbs pallet of brick in the bed and they held and I park up and down hills on a regular basis. After installing the brakes I burnished them, it was January and -16. It was real nice to see the steam come off of the rotors in the rear. During the upgrade, my right side drum was rusted. The shoes were not making contact and this was after I paid to have the big cylinders put in. I did the upgrade myself and will never pay someone to work on this truck again. It was expensive, $2300. 00 verses about $500 to $800 for each of the three previous brake jobs. for front and rear, but the brakes are the best. I have 4-wheel anti-lock and the truck stops when you want it to. I am so happy with the results that I am going to convert my wifes '01 truck next spring to rear disks. I personally do not care what anyone else says about this as I have tried it all. Get rid of the drums. I also adjusted my rear proportioning valve wide open. The thing I do not know is even though the valve is open, is that 100% of the the fuild going through the valve or just some other part of that 100% making it to the rears. I bought the proportioning valve bypass hose but I have not hooked it up as of yet. Maybe, this fall. I recently inspected the pads and they look like brand new. I do a lot of stop/go driving that is really hard on the brakes. All of my factory brakes only lasted about 25-30k miles.

 

[EricBu12]

+1 for rear disk

another pluss for rear disk conversion. . I did all you did plus the conversion. . mine (the drums) were rusty and leaking a little on the cylinders. . the secret to having the PB hold is to hold the foot brake hard while applying the PB. . then it will hold good.



another thing I bought to help stopping power is a product called "brake Guard". . . It is 2 small canisters that mount inline, or actually "T" on your brakeline by your master cylinder. . it has a air chamber under pressure separated by a bladder to add boost brake pressure when you apply your brakes. . . sorta like an "air over hydraulic" system... it has been proven over a lot of different applications via a video I saw... motorhome, dodge truck, whatever. . shorter stopping distances are made... . I got up to 60 one time and stopped in 170 ft stepped off... not bad for a 8000# truck...



do those last 2 things and you won't be disappointed.



Eric

 

[pgleavitt]

I haven't checked out the EGR site in a while but last time I did they did not have a rear disk conversion available for a dually. I did the chevy 1 ton wheel cylinder upgrade and the rears do work better but I have to adjust them alot. The self adjusters don't seem to work at all.

 

[Stamey]

Considering the cost of that EGR conversion, would it be more cost effective to get an entire rear end for a 2001. 5-2002 from a junkyard and just swap the rear? Then you can sell your old rear and get some of the money back.



Chris

 

[Regcabguy]

Brakes

Considering the cost of that EGR conversion, would it be more cost effective to get an entire rear end for a 2001. 5-2002 from a junkyard and just swap the rear? Then you can sell your old rear and get some of the money back.



Chris

The rear disc conversion greatly enhanced the braking of my '99. I did it only after months of searching for a 2001. 5 2500 rear axle assembly. Not more than a month after the conversion,an axle w/40,000 miles came up on Craigslist for $1200. :{

 

[San Felipe Bob]

Brake prformance

For the best braking performance be sure to keep your caliper bolt/pins well lubed.

You should check them often ... As often as every 2000 miles.

At the very least every 5000 miles.

The pins get dirty and cause the calipers to stick on them and then the calipers drag on the rotors.

Wearing the "inside" pad more the the outside pad.

Once the calipers start dragging it ruins the pads and eventaully warps the rotors.



Check out my reader gallery for some tips and pics.

Also check out this You Tube video showing how free your tires should spin.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGHd5-j2TQk





SFB

 

[Stamey]

The rear disc conversion greatly enhanced the braking of my '99. I did it only after months of searching for a 2001. 5 2500 rear axle assembly. Not more than a month after the conversion,an axle w/40,000 miles came up on Craigslist for $1200. :{

Yeah, isn't that the way it always happens? I just held off until I ran up on one on DTR classifieds. I also got a LS unit, which my original D70 did not have. I was 500 miles away, but a great price so I went after it.

If anyone's looking, try Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market. Pricing varies, but you have a selection across the country.



Chris

 

[Bart]

Stamey, but of course Car parts.com don't even have a listing for the 3500s. Thanks for the thoughts on the craigslist and the 2001. 5-2002 info.

 

[Bart]

I spent some time surfing the craigslist and found 2 2500 diffs. $1200-1400. What the He ** does the EGR set up cost if this is cheaper. Someone said that EGR doesn't offer a conversion for the 3500. I guess I'd better call them.

 

[Stamey]

Stamey, but of course Car parts.com don't even have a listing for the 3500s. Thanks for the thoughts on the craigslist and the 2001. 5-2002 info.

You mean it isn't even a choice, or there were just none available in your search?

My point, with buying the whole other rear was that you could sell your old one and recoup some of the money, probably enough to make it cheaper than EGR, and you'd have the factory e-brake setup, rather than the caliper e-brakes, which are just Eldorado calipers, as far as I know.



Chris

 

[Richterno1]

i had done the Full EGR treatment front and rear and was just not happy. so i found a set of axles from a 2002 and slipped them under the truck and never looked back. one of the best mods i've done to my 98



selling those axles off the 98 if any one is interested

 

[Bart]

Morning Stamey, yep there was not even a listing for the 3500. There was a listing for the older 350 and 2500s but no 3500

Well, I must sit corrected. I went to the site again and there it was. Go Figure. So I filled out the form to see if anyone has one. Thanks