Sierra Brakes

sc4808 · May 31, 2006

I have a 2003 Sierra 4x4 1/2 Ton, I just turned 98K miles. While rotating the tires this weekend I inspected the brakes, like I always do, they are only half worn out, WOW. My wifes Explorer went 100K before the brakes needed replacing but it looks as though I may get 150K to 160K before mine need to be replaced. GM has come a long way with brake technology I must say.

larry arizona · May 31, 2006

You would be the only one. But then again you are in a southern climate.

The GMT800 brakes are horrible in the northern climate states due to corrosion and crappy rotors and stuck rear calipers.

You must do a lot of highway driving

2kwolfgang · May 31, 2006

You would be the only one. But then again you are in a southern climate.

The GMT800 brakes are horrible in the northern climate states due to corrosion and crappy rotors and stuck rear calipers.

You must do a lot of highway driving

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'll agree with that, I live in Michigan. I just replaced the pads on the front and back of my 99 Sierra...I also had to replace the back rotors. My truck has 135,000 and had it's first brake job around 75,000. I'm hoping the front rotors hold up for another year or so.

J45p3r · May 31, 2006

My fronts still look good (at 40k) but my rear pads and rotors needed replacing at 30,000 on my 2003 Sierra.

rdnkcpa · May 31, 2006

My 2004 has 53k on it and the front pads have at least 1/2 of the orginal meat on them. I live in Maryland, so all types of weather and hellish traffic as well. So far I'm happy with the pad life.

seadoons · May 31, 2006

My truck has 85,000 miles and I have not touched anything to do with the brake system. I have the tires rotated every 5-6K miles and always look at the pads - they still have plenty of meat on them!! My '99 Ford needed brakes around 45K. I live in Texas but pull a heavy boat during the summer and all is good!

sc4808 · May 31, 2006

Yes I spend a lot of time on the interstate traveling from SC to Indiana. But on the other hand when I am at home (SC) my truck gets a fair amount of MUD time, I would say that my truck gets put into 4 wheel drive about 2-3 times a month in the swamps of the lowcountry (hunting club). I have been very pleased with it so far. Oh yeah I have pulled a 30' travel trailer from SC to IN and back 3 times also.

larry arizona · June 1, 2006

Just a heads up on GM truck brakes.

Don't just use the outboard pad to determine how much pad is left. Generally speaking the inboard pad is the one that drags if you have a sticky caliper so be sure to check both pads.

You southern state guys appear to be having much better wear than us northern guys. Salt is tough on the caliper and rotors simply rot and delaminate.

vxaxv17 · June 12, 2006

Ive got a 2002 sierra 2500HD thats got about 60k miles on it. I was told just the other day (by the dealer) that i've got about 25% pad left on the rears and even more on the fronts. Im in NY so it definitely qualifies as northern states. My brothers 03 dodge pickup was changed at 40k miles. Im definitely happy.

az'03Silverado · June 12, 2006

I changed my pads and had my rotors turned at 35,000. There was PLENTY of meat left on all the pads but the stop-n-go traffic I drive in and the heat of Phoenix glazed the rotors and the brakes squealed like a MF. I'm running Raybestos QS ceramic pads now and I haven't heard a peep out of them.