Is A Brake Job On A 4x4 2500hd "user Friendly"?

jimc · October 12, 2009

Can anyone who has fone this give me some insight. Since about a year or so after I had my truck, I have not been happy with the braking performance. I know it's a heavy truck, but it seemed to me that it should stop quicker than it does. I finally got tired of that feeling and bit the bullet and ordered a set of Powerslot rotors and Kawk pads last night.

I have done numerous brake jobs on autos over the years, but nothing since ABS came about and nothing on a 4X4, not to mention a 3/4 ton truck. I never really had any problems in doing these "smaller" jobs before, but I'm a bit anxious in what I might encounter with the complications of ABS and 4X4 on a large truck. I've searched a bit on the forum, but haven't really found anything that addresses my concerns.

Should I have any special problems with getting the calipers off or the rotors? Is there anything else, other than possibly flushing out the old brake fluid, that I should be considering doing while I am at it? My truck has about 110,000 and, other than oil changes, tires, and a battery, nothing has really been done to it.

I have ordered a service manual from Helm, but I thought I'd try to get some early insight from anyone who has already been through this before. I have a fair selection of tools, but are there any special ones I will need?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Jim C

gmtech4 · October 12, 2009

have you even looked yet?,please use back roads after your done

jimc · October 12, 2009

Sorry. Not sure I follow what your saying.

txab · October 12, 2009

Sorry. Not sure I follow what your saying.

Don't worry. He makes remarks like that from time to time.

If you've done brake work before you should be able to handle your truck. ABS is not really a complication. You've got a great manual on order that will help you through. Read over the procedures. Yes flush the system with fresh fluid.

jimc · October 12, 2009

Sorry. Not sure I follow what your saying.

Don't worry. He makes remarks like that from time to time.

If you've done brake work before you should be able to handle your truck. ABS is not really a complication. You've got a great manual on order that will help you through. Read over the procedures. Yes flush the system with fresh fluid.

I understand.

I found most of what I needed on the other forum. I just wasn't sure about the ABS and whether 4X4 made it any different.

I appreciate the input.

gmtech4 · October 12, 2009

ya lol,my control needs work lol

what I meant was to take the back roads because then you'll only kill yourself from a failed repair and not others using real roads.

in the end ,if your not familiar with brakes ,stay away from them cause ya got to share the roads with everyone.

in my opinion,people should not be able to work on safety related systems on vehs unless ya have a licence in your pocket.

what do ya all think,make sense???

WilliamBos · October 12, 2009

ya lol,my control needs work lol

what I meant was to take the back roads because then you'll only kill yourself from a failed repair and not others using real roads.

in the end ,if your not familiar with brakes ,stay away from them cause ya got to share the roads with everyone.

in my opinion,people should not be able to work on safety related systems on vehs unless ya have a licence in your pocket.

what do ya all think,make sense???

I respectfully disagree. I know people with 'licenses' that do not know squat, and would not let the wrench my ride. Only repairs we farm out are electronic related, and that goes to my Cuz.

However, if he knows a tech that would help him with it, in case he has any doubts, that would be a good idea.

Nytemare · October 12, 2009

ya lol,my control needs work lol

what I meant was to take the back roads because then you'll only kill yourself from a failed repair and not others using real roads.

in the end ,if your not familiar with brakes ,stay away from them cause ya got to share the roads with everyone.

in my opinion,people should not be able to work on safety related systems on vehs unless ya have a licence in your pocket.

what do ya all think,make sense???

I respectfully disagree. I know people with 'licenses' that do not know squat, and would not let the wrench my ride. Only repairs we farm out are electronic related, and that goes to my Cuz.

However, if he knows a tech that would help him with it, in case he has any doubts, that would be a good idea.

I agree with William on this one too...what your saying here is that I shouldn't be able to replace brakes on my truck...which is almost a simple job as changing oil....cause I'm not certified, but because its not safety related I can build a motor that puts out 1100hp and that's fine. Which one of these poses a bigger danger to people o the road.

Here's one for you...for the most part, the guy you pay to fix your brakes ain't certified either, he's just the Jo-boy in the shop that's paid 10 bucks an hour to replace the parts the certified mechanic tells him to. This even happens in dealership garages.

To answer your question Jim, yes you can put your brakes on. i you've done it before you can do it on this truck. The only big difference is if you have rear discs. They have the parking brakes on the inside of the rotor, like a drum setup, and the operational brakes as a disc. still fairly easy to do.

gave20 · October 12, 2009

You're going to need a 3' breaker bar and a shortened torx socket to get the caliper bolts free. After that it's easy going. Use a lift if you have access to one.

Nytemare · October 12, 2009

Or you can use a regular ratchet if you don't have arms like a wet spaghetti noodle....

Sorry Andy I couldn't resist

gmtech4 · October 12, 2009

ya lol,my control needs work lol

what I meant was to take the back roads because then you'll only kill yourself from a failed repair and not others using real roads.

in the end ,if your not familiar with brakes ,stay away from them cause ya got to share the roads with everyone.

in my opinion,people should not be able to work on safety related systems on vehs unless ya have a licence in your pocket.

what do ya all think,make sense???

I respectfully disagree. I know people with 'licenses' that do not know squat, and would not let the wrench my ride. Only repairs we farm out are electronic related, and that goes to my Cuz.

However, if he knows a tech that would help him with it, in case he has any doubts, that would be a good idea.

I agree with William on this one too...what your saying here is that I shouldn't be able to replace brakes on my truck...which is almost a simple job as changing oil....cause I'm not certified, but because its not safety related I can build a motor that puts out 1100hp and that's fine. Which one of these poses a bigger danger to people o the road.

Here's one for you...for the most part, the guy you pay to fix your brakes ain't certified either, he's just the Jo-boy in the shop that's paid 10 bucks an hour to replace the parts the certified mechanic tells him to. This even happens in dealership garages.

To answer your question Jim, yes you can put your brakes on. i you've done it before you can do it on this truck. The only big difference is if you have rear discs. They have the parking brakes on the inside of the rotor, like a drum setup, and the operational brakes as a disc. still fairly easy to do.

thx for repling and I get what your sayin,apprentices are covered by the dealer and should be checked by a tech,but flat rate has messed that up,some stores have a shop forman to road test everything,.

my concern is with people who truely does not have a clue what or how to do somthing on there car/truck and then drive on the street,,scares me.

does the economy have something to do with this? who knows ,we could go on forever on this topic,cya, Rob

gave20 · October 12, 2009

Or you can use a regular ratchet if you don't have arms like a wet spaghetti noodle....

Sorry Andy I couldn't resist

Really? It took a lift, 3 foot cheater and a 2 foot breaker bar to loosen the locktite caliper bolts and the friend of mine who's lift I used acted like that was the norm. Maybe we're all wussy's in western PA.

compulynx · October 12, 2009

Oh Jesus, do not even get me started on the "certified" thing. I have been in the Computer networking business for 25 years, and I can not tell you how many MSCE's and "Network certified" kids right out of class I have had to go behind and clean up after.

Certifications are B/S. You can get them almost everywhere nowadays.

Give me someone with experience in the real world any day.

And yes, you can replace your own brakes. It ain't rocket science.

C

jimc · October 12, 2009

Thanks everyone.

Unfortunately I don't have access to a lift, so it will likely be one or two wheels at a time. I do have a 3' breaker bar (if I need it ). However, I don't have a shortened torx socket. Is this something that is homemade or are they available that way?

BTW, I read somewhere that thee front bearings on the 4X4 are sealed and non-serviceable. Is this correct? No greasing? I assume that there are bearings at the hub even though it's got a CV joint, right? At 115,000 miles, should I be considering replacing the bearings since I have it apart. Don't believe that I've heard anything coming from there, but I do have a bit of slop in the steering. I was going to get the shop to look at tie rods, etc. when I get my alignment done. I assume that I would be able to tell when I get the wheel off of the ground and spin it.

Thanks.

mtm700 · October 12, 2009

No need to replace or service the bearings (yes, non-serviceable). They house the ABS sensor and reluctor ring and are very expensive. Only time they need to be replaced is when they are loose or noisey when driving down the road. Also, no need to flush the brake fluid-you'll just create yourself more work and may wind up taking it into the dealer to have an automated bleed proceedure done to get all the air out of the system-leave the brake lines and fluid alone. The shop will check all your joints in the front end before the alignment is done.