09 Gmc/chevy Disk Brake Conversion Kits For The Rear?

[Jubei69]

This will probably be my 1st major mod, if the kits are available.

[dlstewart01]

[Phillipjon]

This will probably be my 1st major mod, if the kits are available.

 

 

Why?

[C. Charles Hahn]

I had that same thought when I first bought my truck, but the drum brakes in the rear are perfectly fine 99% of the time.

[terrible1one3]

I felt the same. Was pretty surprised that they are still throwing drums on these.

 

I would prefer disc because of the ease of maintenance personally. But not enough for the large investment of doing the conversion... if there is one available. One of those things I will "live with."

[C. Charles Hahn]

I felt the same. Was pretty surprised that they are still throwing drums on these.

 

I would prefer disc because of the ease of maintenance personally. But not enough for the large investment of doing the conversion... if there is one available. One of those things I will "live with."

 

Drum brakes are hardly difficult to maintain; if anything discs on the rear of a truck are worse. I've heard of people having all kinds of problems with the rear brakes having issues with corrosion on rotors and in calipers that get stuck, whereas with drums since all the mechanical parts are enclosed by the drum those issues don't exist.

 

Either way, the front brakes do 70-80% of the work regardless which style is on the back.

[dlstewart01]

I felt the same. Was pretty surprised that they are still throwing drums on these.

 

I would prefer disc because of the ease of maintenance personally. But not enough for the large investment of doing the conversion... if there is one available. One of those things I will "live with."

 

Drum brakes are hardly difficult to maintain; if anything discs on the rear of a truck are worse. I've heard of people having all kinds of problems with the rear brakes having issues with corrosion on rotors and in calipers that get stuck, whereas with drums since all the mechanical parts are enclosed by the drum those issues don't exist.

 

Either way, the front brakes do 70-80% of the work regardless which style is on the back.

 

That's true and the ratio will be the same whether disc or drums are used on the rear.

 

Now if I were going to improve my braking I believe I would start at the 70 to 80% end first.

 

Just my humble opinion.

[BruceW]

When breaking the force should shift to the front. This is why the front brakes do most of the work and it helps the steering wheels maintain traction while braking. If you shift the braking balance to the rear then you will loose steering traction while braking.

[Jubei69]

No one is talking about changing the break bias, just like on a motorcycle, a car/truck's front breaks does the majority of the braking; I just like the looks of rotors and calipers as opposed to the drum.... and i'm pretty sure on a skid pad... there would be a slight braking improvement...

[Silverado4x4]

 

Yup your right

[C. Charles Hahn]

and i'm pretty sure on a skid pad... there would be a slight braking improvement...

 

So are you saying you plan to drive your truck on a skid pad on a regular basis?

[Tklei14]

This is the first truck I have owned with drum brakes, and I know nothing about them, sorry to go off topic.

 

How is the maintenance on drums compared to disc brakes? Do they last longer? What will it cost me to have them replaced or recut whatever has to be done when they wear out.

 

I already had the front brakes re-cut on my 09 with 11k miles on it under warranty because of noise and shutter.

[kdixer]

This is the first truck I have owned with drum brakes, and I know nothing about them, sorry to go off topic.

 

How is the maintenance on drums compared to disc brakes? Do they last longer? What will it cost me to have them replaced or recut whatever has to be done when they wear out.

 

I already had the front brakes re-cut on my 09 with 11k miles on it under warranty because of noise and shutter.

 

The cost of drums is usually cheaper because the shoes usually last longer. The main issue with drums is if you go thru deep water or mud often. Those situations cause the drums to get contaminated and corrode more than usual. Also the main maintenance issue with drums is if they have been neglected long enough to creat a lip on the inner edge of the drum. That can often make it a royal pain to remove the drum. And don't be afraid to use the parking break regularly to keep everything free'd up. On some vehicle the rear brakes self adjust when you brake in reverse. Others self adjust when you apply the parking brake. Not sure how these GM drum brakes self adjust.

[Neutron]

GM offered rear disc brakes on the GMT800s a while back. They went back to drums on the rear for a reason....

[dlewis1111]

No one is talking about changing the break bias, just like on a motorcycle, a car/truck's front breaks does the majority of the braking; I just like the looks of rotors and calipers as opposed to the drum.... and i'm pretty sure on a skid pad... there would be a slight braking improvement...

 

If you put some 50 dollar brake dust shields on, you cant see which type of brake you have. You are talking about spending a whole bunch of money for something to "look" better. You could do a whole bunch of other stuff with that money that would make a noteable improvement in your truck.