2000 Silverado brake backing plates

[rjirvine]

Well, I'm going to takcle replacing the spash shield/backing plates on my 2000 Silverado 1500 Z-71 Ext Cab. It just turned over 100k miles, and one is completely rusted through. I should have chenged them out when I bought the truck a year ago w 93k miles on it, but they weren't TOO bad then. That rear diff fluid is about $26/qt, so I kinda pissed that money away. I'll chalk it up to experience.

 

I got new shields from the dealer for about $28 each and new axle seals ($11 ea). I also got a new bolt for the rear differential pin (I had one broken on my 1988 truck and figured I'd better be ready), and of course a new gasket and fluid, p/n 89021677 (superceeds p/n 12378261) 75W-90. It's not a locking differential.

 

I'm going to pull the axles, and then remove the parking brake shoes rather than wrestle them off the axle flange. I have read here on the past somewhere about replacing the parking brake shoe hold down clip/screw. Is this a good idea? I'm sure it will all look obvious when I start tearing it apart. The rear brake pads are fine, and I'm hoping the parking brake shoes are good. We'll see. Any other advice before I start?

[Bish]

It's pretty straight forward. THe hardest part is figuring out how to get the C-clip out. Then again, you have an open diff so it should be more simple. If you are pulling them apart, it may be worth getting the parking brake shoes replaced too. They will come with a redesigned clip that holds the shoe on better. The first side took me a while but the second side took about 10 minutes once you know how to do it.

 

Good luck.

[Ape0r]

You may want to replace the parking brake shoes while you've got it all apart. They run for a little under $80 for the pair, IIRC.

[rjirvine]

I may have to buy parking brake shoes, I'll just have to take a look at it when I get it apart. The only reason I didn't buy them right away, was the fact that it looks as if the truck had been well taken care of, and it looks like the back brakes are pretty new. The parking brake works really well too. (Although that doesn't mean anything). I'm hoping whoever owned it before me had it done. The new plates are pretty cheesy, just like the originals. My truck had spent most of its time in upstate NY, hence the rust. I did notice the plates were made in Australia, which is kinda unusual.

 

Backing plates 2 @ 27ea

Axle seals 2 @ 11ea

fluid 2 @ 27

gasket $6

bolt $2

 

cost so far $139

 

I'm going to buy a seal puller just so I have one, but I don't figure that as a job expense.

[rjirvine]

Ooops, one last question. As far as the axle seals, I don't have a socket big enough to fit them to pound them in, do you guys think a rubber mallet would be okay to tap around the edges to get them in? They already came packed with grease from the dealer, so, I don't think I need to addy any.

[Bish]

Ooops, one last question. As far as the axle seals, I don't have a socket big enough to fit them to pound them in, do you guys think a rubber mallet would be okay to tap around the edges to get them in? They already came packed with grease from the dealer, so, I don't think I need to addy any.

 

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That's what I used. A large rubber mallet bigger than the seal. A few taps dead center was all it took. Just be careful inserting the axles as you could damage the seal if you are rough.

[pm26]

Ooops, one last question. As far as the axle seals, I don't have a socket big enough to fit them to pound them in, do you guys think a rubber mallet would be okay to tap around the edges to get them in? They already came packed with grease from the dealer, so, I don't think I need to addy any.

 

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Better yet, go to Auto Zone and rent one of their larger sockets for free. they rent 32 mm and several other sizes. One of them just might fit. Also, Harforfreight has very cheap seal installer sets - something like $ 5 or 6 a set. Worth buying, IMHO.

[Elwood 2000]

Possibly set the rubber mallot on the seal, then tap with mallot with a hammer. Just be careful to keep it straight. Should be an easy job.

 

Best of luck!

[Frozen001]

That's what I used.  A large rubber mallet bigger than the seal.  A few taps dead center was all it took.  Just be careful inserting the axles as you could damage the seal if you are rough.

 

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Ya be very carful. When I did this on my 2000 Sierra I had (at like 60k because I live in the "salt" belt) I had to pull it all apart again because I damaged one seal and it was leaking pretty bad.