05 Silverado/Sierra Rear Drum Brakes

[Our02Silverado]

I am curious about any and/or everyone's thoughts on the GM decision to utilize rear drum brakes on the 05 Silverados and Sierras. I have read the GM material on why they decided to use the rear drum brakes.

 

Now, I want to hear from people who have been driving and using the new brake set-up. Is it better than the 4 wheel disc set-up??? Worse??? What problems have you been having??? And, anything else along those lines...

 

Let the discussion begin!!!

[asilverblazer]

Try a search, lots of discussion...

 

My opinion

[lrymal]

....What problems have you been having??? ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Problems?????? Ain't no problems, just solutions. My opinion? Why didn't they do this a LONG time ago???! I don't care if it is old or new technology, the end result is that the '05 1/2 ton brakes will smash your eyeball corneas against the windshield. You will go, " "---AWESOME! No more of this "omigod, omigod, please please STOP!" I don't care if GM has a trunk monkey in the back, applying his heels to the ground, as long as the braking WORKS. And for this design---it works!

 

And as asilverblazer said, lots of discussions on this just a month ago. Dig a bit with the search engine. I think my fingers are too tired to hash it all over again.

[Our02Silverado]

Did the search suggested, and read the various items posted. Interesting...

Personally, my past experience with drum brakes was that they are a pain in the @#$ to use, inspect, and then replace/repair. And, stopping more than once in the space of few seconds or going down a steep grade both induce a very unpleasant "brake fade" that makes stopping when you want to an adventure.

 

So, what else is everyone wanting/willing to say about the new brake set up???

[ProSport Tim]

I've got an 05' 1500 with drums out back. Tried my buddies 03 1500 with disc and I'd have to say mine are way better. It's not just pedal feel either(which is improved) but the truck just plain stops better. This is my first truck and I'm still getting used to the weight. I drove a 90 maxima before this and I could go from 40 to a stop in 15 feet. With the truck you need to apply the brakes or let of the throttle way sooner, obviously. This is how I know my brakes are better on my 05' than my buds 03' with discs. I went to the same stop sign at the same speed and I wound up in the middle of the intersection with his truck where as my truck had room to spare. Granted mine is brand new but his rig only has 20k on it. Just my $.02.

[bigdogxx]

There is no comparison between the disc brakes and the new drum setup, the 05's have better brakes hands down!

[Ben]

Don't get caught up with what is great for a "car" also going to be great for a truck. Ditto the other way around.

 

My 1996 Suburban out stops many smaller 4 wheel disc brake setups, even when fully loaded. Ditto my 1980 Silverado. Ditto the 98 Mazda B2500 (half ton Ranger). All have Praise Dyno Brake friction material and I do the work myself. Super tune everything and make my own mods.

 

The biggest change GM did was to toss the calipers and put in ones with less flexing of the cross over bridge between the piston side and the anvil side. I'd like to see what they did to the front/rear bias, as the old proportioning valve on my Sub is 85/15 and newer 80/20 and think they changed it even more on the current 05 model line.