BRAKES: Rear Drum to Disc Conversion

[MAXX_EXC]

 

 

I recently purchased a 1994 GMC Yukon Turbo Diesel 4WD (same as Chevrolet Tahoe/Full Size Blazer). It has 170K miles and is currently suffering from an extremely worn rear differential (pinion & axle bearings).

 

Since driving the vehicle home from Oregon to Florida, I am disappointed in the existing brake system. I would like to upgrade the braking system though I am not certain where the greatest weaknesses are in the brakes.

 

With the rear axle repair job ahead, I thought it might be a relatively easy job to slip on a set of disc brakes like those offered at :

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/rear_discbr...onversions.html

.

 

I like the idea of using the tried and true newer model OEM rear brakes they offer, but I have never done a rear disc brake conversion before and would very much like to hear from anyone who has any knowledge or experience in this subject.

 

ANY INFO OR LINK WILL BE A HELP!!

 

These are some of the questions I have:

 

How does the brake fluid pressure and volume supplied by the existing hydro-boosted master cylinder work with the disc brakes?

 

Will the proportioning valve/ABS need to be replaced /adjusted?

 

How much machining will need to be done to axles? Will most machine shops be able to perform it?

 

Is there really a significant gain in braking power?

 

Would I be better off replacing my existing drums with new 2005 model drums?

 

Who else provides drum to disc conversion kits?

 

Does 4WD and 6 bolt hubs affect availability of conv kits?

 

Has anyone done this?

 

If so, were you satisfied with it compared to the cost?

 

Any one or more of these questions answered will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

MAXX

[2004GMC1500CC]

 

 

I recently purchased a 1994 GMC Yukon Turbo Diesel 4WD (same as Chevrolet Tahoe/Full Size Blazer).  It has 170K miles and is currently suffering from an extremely worn  rear differential (pinion & axle bearings). 

 

Since driving the vehicle home from Oregon to Florida, I am disappointed in the existing brake system.  I would like to upgrade the braking system though I am not  certain where the greatest weaknesses are in the brakes.

 

With the rear axle repair job ahead, I thought it might be a relatively easy job to slip on a set of disc brakes like those offered at :

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/rear_discbr...onversions.html

.

 

I like the idea of using the tried and true newer model OEM rear brakes they offer, but I have never done a rear disc brake conversion before and would very much like to hear from anyone who has any knowledge or experience in this subject.

 

ANY INFO OR LINK WILL BE A HELP!!

 

These are some of the questions I have:

 

How does the brake fluid pressure and volume supplied by the existing hydro-boosted master cylinder work with the disc brakes? 

 

Will the proportioning valve/ABS need to be replaced /adjusted?

 

How much machining will need to be done to axles?  Will most machine shops be able to perform it?

 

Is there really a significant gain in braking power?

 

Would I be better off replacing my existing drums with new 2005 model drums?

 

Who else provides drum to disc conversion kits?

 

Does 4WD and 6 bolt hubs affect availability of conv kits?

 

Has anyone done this? 

 

If so, were you satisfied with it compared to the cost?

 

Any one or more of these questions answered will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

MAXX

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Not an answer to any of your questions, but I would stick to upgrading the front disk first. Much easier and will give you most of your stopping power. Better front rotors and more aggessive pads should help a bunch.

[MAXX_EXC]

 

 

I recently purchased a 1994 GMC Yukon Turbo Diesel 4WD (same as Chevrolet Tahoe/Full Size Blazer).  It has 170K miles and is currently suffering from an extremely worn  rear differential (pinion & axle bearings). 

 

Since driving the vehicle home from Oregon to Florida, I am disappointed in the existing brake system.  I would like to upgrade the braking system though I am not  certain where the greatest weaknesses are in the brakes.

 

With the rear axle repair job ahead, I thought it might be a relatively easy job to slip on a set of disc brakes like those offered at :

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/rear_discbr...onversions.html

.

 

I like the idea of using the tried and true newer model OEM rear brakes they offer, but I have never done a rear disc brake conversion before and would very much like to hear from anyone who has any knowledge or experience in this subject.

 

ANY INFO OR LINK WILL BE A HELP!!

 

These are some of the questions I have:

 

How does the brake fluid pressure and volume supplied by the existing hydro-boosted master cylinder work with the disc brakes? 

 

Will the proportioning valve/ABS need to be replaced /adjusted?

 

How much machining will need to be done to axles?  Will most machine shops be able to perform it?

 

Is there really a significant gain in braking power?

 

Would I be better off replacing my existing drums with new 2005 model drums?

 

Who else provides drum to disc conversion kits?

 

Does 4WD and 6 bolt hubs affect availability of conv kits?

 

Has anyone done this? 

 

If so, were you satisfied with it compared to the cost?

 

Any one or more of these questions answered will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

MAXX

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Not an answer to any of your questions, but I would stick to upgrading the front disk first. Much easier and will give you most of your stopping power. Better front rotors and more aggessive pads should help a bunch.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks, this is the kind of information I am looking for.

 

Does anyone know of a company that sells no-frills, even newer model OEM upgraded front discs?

 

I would be very apprehensive about just purchasing newer model rotors and calipers for the front without knowing 1) If they will work with my existing brake system and 2) Whether or not they will make a significant increase in stopping power.

 

Thanks,

Maxx

[fossil]

I'd forget about upgrading the front disks with something bigger unless you are putting bigger wheels on it. I'd go for the rear disk conversion. The link below gives fairly detailed instructions on how to.

 

 

 

 

http://www.classicperform.com/tech_article...akes-trucks.htm

[Ben]

I don't recommend nor like any rear disc conversion kits that I've seen.

 

Too many things not engineered to my liking. Like the sizing of a 1,000 lb

lighter vehicles brake to your SUV.

 

Or that your 10-12 bolt is a semi floater and those C clips will allow the

axle to move in and out more than any disc brake setup is designed for.

Worse if high miles and the axle moves more because of wear.

 

Scraping while going around corners and curves are the main issue,

but you will no longer have "EMERGENCY" brakes, nor are the parking

brakes sized for your SUV.

 

Ask them if it will hold on a steep hill, or even worse, out while off roading

and the steeper hills there. Ask them to guarantee that it will hold.

 

You'd be better off working with what you have and going to performance

level braking pads/shoes.

 

Biggest bang will be to manually adjust the rear shoes ***TIGHT****.

Test this out by driving around a bit in stop'n go, and freeway. Then

re-run the same route with the same speed, etc, but set the parking/

Emergency brake pedal a bit so that the shoes touch the drum (like

manually adjusting them).

 

Bet you'll notice a considreable improvement in the braking performance.

 

Then moving up to performance materials (I like Praise Dyno Brake)

and super tuning what you have. Super tune the front calipers and

make sure the hoses are in good shape (actually you should be changing

them out any way). Hoses rot out from the inside and pinch off the flow.

 

Also the frame clips holding the hoses on rust and that also pinches

off the hoses.

 

Call Praise Dyno Brake and ask if they still have a discount

and tell them Ben Toy sent you.

[MAXX_EXC]

Thanks for your replies everyone. I knew I would be better off asking others that have been-there-and-done-that.

 

Anyone have anything else to add? Good / bad experiences??

 

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I don't recommend nor like any rear disc conversion kits that I've seen.

 

Too many things not engineered to my liking. Like the sizing of a 1,000 lb

lighter vehicles brake to your SUV.

 

Or that your 10-12 bolt is a semi floater and those C clips will allow the

axle to move in and out more than any disc brake setup is designed for.

Worse if high miles and the axle moves more because of wear.

 

Scraping while going around corners and curves are the main issue,

but you will no longer have "EMERGENCY" brakes, nor are the parking

brakes sized for your SUV.

 

Ask them if it will hold on a steep hill, or even worse, out while off roading

and the steeper hills there. Ask them to guarantee that it will hold.

 

You'd be better off working with what you have and going to performance

level braking pads/shoes.

 

Biggest bang will be to manually adjust the rear shoes ***TIGHT****.

Test this out by driving around a bit in stop'n go, and freeway. Then

re-run the same route with the same speed, etc, but set the parking/

Emergency brake pedal a bit so that the shoes touch the drum (like

manually adjusting them).

 

Bet you'll notice a considreable improvement in the braking performance.

 

Then moving up to performance materials (I like Praise Dyno Brake)

and super tuning what you have. Super tune the front calipers and

make sure the hoses are in good shape (actually you should be changing

them out any way). Hoses rot out from the inside and pinch off the flow.

 

Also the frame clips holding the hoses on rust and that also pinches

off the hoses.

 

Call Praise Dyno Brake and ask if they still have a discount

and tell them Ben Toy sent you.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>