2005's Back to Drum Brakes

[AZ1500]

The 05's have gone back to drum brakes for the rear. GMC announced to dealers that the reason is better brake pedal "feel" and not a cost savings measure. The 1500HD and 2500/3500 will still use four wheel discs. Also, in an effort to boost C.A.F.E ratings, the 3.42 is back as the standard axle ratio. Sounds like a step back in technology to me.

[Tex2kZR2]

"not a cost cutting measure"... Umm.. Bulls**t!!! It's because GM doesn't want to spend a nickel and properly fix the parking brake issue with the rear disc brakes.

[ToeJam]

What's the parking break issue?

[gave20]

The 05's have gone back to drum brakes for the rear. GMC announced to dealers that the reason is better brake pedal "feel" and not a cost savings measure.

My sentiments exactly, why not fix the so called brake fade; next thing you know will be running carbs.

[Frank S]

What's the parking break issue?

Many of the trucks,early in the new body style atleast,had a problem with the parking break pads wearing out,probably because it wasn't at proper adjustment to begin with.If this happened,dealerships wouldn't warrant the issue because they considered it a wearable part since it actually has it's own pads.

 

A lot of states require that the emergency break functions or the vehicle will not pass inspection.I've never had anyone check mine but they can fail the vehicle if it doesn't function properly.

[bosssho]

The 05's have gone back to drum brakes for the rear.  GMC announced to dealers that the reason is better brake pedal "feel" and not a cost savings measure.

My sentiments exactly, why not fix the so called brake fade; next thing you know will be running carbs.

LMAO

 

I have said this since Day 1...dating back to my 97 Z71 Ext Cab that had the Drums out back...the Brakes were the worst part of the truck...and now, with my 03 they are just as awful. I just got all the rotors resurfaced and got the pads that a lot of guys on here use, but I would only say they are a 4 out of 10 now compared to a 3 out of 10.

 

I have two friends that each drive Ford and Dodge and both trucks make me embarrass the hell out of my brakes which is sad.

 

Every time I bring it up to the dealer they act stupid...I'm starting to think they aren't acting.

[mdub]

One of GM's claimed reasons for switching back is due to more responsive brake pedal feel. Additionally, the rear brakes on trucks often don't help all that much anyway because of the poor weight ratio in the rear, so why not choose lower cost, lower maintenance, and a less pedal pressure design?

 

I know, hard to believe I'm actually siding with GM for a change. When I'm towing our trailer with my '03 truck, it's downright scary if you need to stop in a hurry (and this is only a ~2000lb trailer!). I feel like I need to stand on the brake pedal to get any response, and I seriously WILL NOT let anyone else drive my truck while towing (just for safety reasons due to the crappy brakes).

 

IMO, the drum brake equipped GM trucks were much more responsive. And really, were drum brakes that bad for other reasons (maintenance, etc.)? Drum brakes are relatively maintenance free, although admitedly somewhat of a pain when they finally do wear out.

 

On a truck application, I'm not convinced that 4-wheel disc brakes offer much more than bragging rights. I haven't driven the newer trucks from the competition, so not sure if they're experiencing the same pedal pressure problems like GM. In any case, I'm not convinced that drum brakes should be a deal breaker.

[Elwood 2000]

I have drive drums and discs. I now have discs on my 2000 and they are the best brakes I have ever had on a truck. I do tow from time to time and I have to disagree with mdub. Possibly our trucks are different??

 

I am now experiencing the parking brake failure with my truck. The dealer wants $230 to fix the problem, or the parts are about $100 for me to do myself. Personally, I think $230 is a cheap price to pay for the quality of the disc brakes. I have 76,000 miles on my truck and I have the original pads and they have about 40%-50% left on them and perform perfectly.

 

I think GM is going back to drums because they can't seem to solve the problem or they just don't want too. Most every other truck on the road has 4wdiscs and they are great. It is almost upsetting because I was told that they profit $10k per truck, maybe they feel they need $10,050????

[speedde423]

As long as I can recall, someones had a problem with the GM truck brakes. If the new brakes are better than the current ones, what is the problem with them. Just because they are "old" technology that doesn't make them worse.

 

BTW, how is GM making $10K profit per truck, last I heard the avg. was around $600.

[mazingo]

I have no problem with the brake on my 04. Actually, my brakes work great... about a week after I got my truck I had to do some "controlled braking" to avoid running through a 4-way intersection . This happened on a wet highway going about 50 , the truck stopped flawlessly and a lot quicker than I thought it would (thanks ABS ). Any way, I think the 4WDB are good but then again I dont tow much more than a few building supplies, and I am speaking from my experiences only.

[rcj_houston]

"BTW, how is GM making $10K profit per truck, last I heard the avg. was around $600."

If this is the case, how did GM post a 1.3 Billion dollar profit in the last 3 months at $600 a vehicle profit? They would have had to sell like 722,222 vehicles a month to do that (a little over 24,000 vehicles a day). Then again, I am not up to speed on the current profit numbers.

 

10K sounds about right. When I bought my 03'Tahoe and my 03' Lesabre, both dealers took over $9k off of each vehicle and still told me they are making a healthy profit. I saved (if that is possible with both vehicle loan notes) over $18k on my purchases and both dealers seemed quit happy.

 

BTW: I have rear discs on both vehicles and they both have the smoothest and fastest stopping power I have ever owned. No fade "YET" felt on either one...

 

cheers all...have a wonderful weekend!

 

[AlanW]

Does anyone try "pumping" your brake pedal some to increase the pressure??

I have an '00 Sierra ext cab with the 4-wheel disc/anti-lock brakes. I tow a 3,500 lb+ boat without trailer brakes, very often, up & down a lot of hills with stop signs at the bottom. So I stop this rig a lot.

 

I agree the pedal pressure doesn't normally feel very good, but I think this weak feel is more of just being the nature of the anti-lock function than actual weak braking. My truck stops better and faster than any other (admittedily older) trucks I driven. The first time I had to panic stop on wet pavement sold me on the system. The older trucks would have locked up it's wheels and swapped ends a few times, these newer ones just stop straight & quick without skidding & sliding, plus you can still steer while coming to a hard stop.

 

I have found I get better pedal pressure during braking by "pumping" the brake pedal gently a few times while stopping, just like in the old days with the old style brakes.

Just don't try to pump them in an anti-lock situation, like during a panic stop or something-let the anti-lock computer do that type. But during normal braking, it gets me a better feeling pedal pressure.

[Dustin07]

BTW: I have rear discs on both vehicles and they both have the smoothest and fastest stopping power I have ever owned. No fade "YET" felt on either one...

 

I used to be a little upset about my tranny going out at 70K, but i think that was my fault. now i feel bad for all y'all that are having problems with brakes and the likes.

 

I had a 94 with drums in back, and my dad has an 89. my father in law has a 01 3/4 ton ram, (can't remember if thats discs or drums) and a 82 3/4 ton ram, and out of all of them, my 1/2 ton silverado is by far the best braking. maybe you guys are noticing the problem on the heavier trucks, which might make sense, but I LOVE my brakes. when people tailgate me i laugh because i know that if i have to stop quick i'm definately stopping faster then them, regardless of what they're driving!

[Blue-2001-Z71]

I for one have never been able to stand drums at all. My '01 seems to stop just fine as is with 50K on the clock and all original hardware that I can tell, even the parking brake. Granted, they do seem to have widespread problems with this design, I guess I'm just lucky. Question is, why not fix this? I feel that my discs don't fade nearly as bad as the drums I've had on prior vehicles ( 2 Chevs, 1 Ford, 1 Jeep). I would like to upgrade to a Baer kit to add more power once I upgrade the wheels and tires, but for my use, the current setup is satisfactory and would not change it back to drums. Even with new shoes, my Grand Cherokee still makes me cringe when I have to lay into the pedal, it it's a ton less that the Z-71!

[bosssho]

Here's my exact experience with these trucks...my 97 GMC Z71 Extd Cab had awful brakes...always alwful even if they were adjusted and had new pads...my buddy, at the time, had a 98 Chevy Z71 and his brakes were awesome...both had drums, but he even said mine were just junk. That makes no sense, but that's the God's honest truth...I can't explain it, and neither could anyone else, but I was horrified every time I had to brake when I was eihter towing a trailer full of snowmobiles or ATVs...every time was a situation to worry about b/c the brakes were awful.

 

So, when I started to look for a new truck in 2002 I was psyched to think I was finally going to get the new 4 wheel disc package (both the new one and the 97 were 4 wheel ABS), but to my horror the new truck's brakes were just as bad...

 

By bad I mean, they feel lik you just stepped in Dog $hit when you depress the brakes...and it's only worse if you are towing something. I have no idea how the truck acutally stops distance wise compared to my 97, but the brakes inspire no confidence at all when being used and that's pi$$ poor on GM's part.

 

To answer everyone who's asked about Dodge, Ford or Toyota or Nissan...I have driven Tundras, Titans, F350s, and Hemi Rams and they all blow away...night and day...my brakes.

 

I recently did the praise dyno brake pads all around and after spending $500.00+ dollars to have the rotors all turned and to buy the pads...I feel like a dope b/c tney are no better pedal feel wise than the oems...maybe their entire rotor and pad kit is better, but the guy I spoke with their adimantly told me to keep my stock rotors b/c the truck only has 24000 mile on it...so at this point I am just disgusted with the brakes.

 

I would love to know what's on the Denalis, SS, Hemi Ramss, etc...that make their 4 wheel ABS Disc combos superior to GMs....