Better Brakes

[Giant]

Is there anything I can do to improve my breaking preformance without putting on larger, aftermarket rims? That would allow me to put on larger rotors and better calipers.

 

Would just going to a better caliper, good pads, and a slotted rotor in the stock size improve my brakes enough to warrent the price of the new calipers?

 

Maybe next time I can keep this from happening

 

Thanks

-Robert-

[tflessner]

I would try ceramic brake pads and drilled/slotted rotors. That should improve your braking performance. Next step would be upgrading calipers, ie. Brembo, etc. which can get expensive!

[Bish]

I would try ceramic brake pads and drilled/slotted rotors. That should improve your braking performance. Next step would be upgrading calipers, ie. Brembo, etc. which can get expensive!

 

I've been using Praise Dyno brakes for about 150K on my Tahoe. They are cryo treated slotted rotors and pads and the pads have a significantly higher coefficient of friction. Bottom line is better braking at the expense of some longevity. I am getting about 50K out of a set. They are stock size so they fit with stock wheels. I think it was around $650 for 4 rotors and pads. I also opted for stainless brake lines to improve pedal firmness.

 

I have had at least several occasions where I am convinced I would have not stopped in time had I stuck with stock.

[ken1mod]

Gentlemen,

 

When I managed an urban, heavy duty fleet, we thought 25000 miles per front lining set was great. Takes 30 minutes to do a "pad slap". Rears lasted 100k plus. Great, powerful braking performance with Bendix friction king.

 

Ken

[Giant]

Pedal preformance is another issue. The truck will stop when you get into the brake, but it doesn't feel like it brakes much at all in the first second or so after you start to hit the pedal.

 

So, new lines is the way to increase pedal response?

 

Thanks for the replys

-Robert-

[Bish]

Pedal preformance is another issue. The truck will stop when you get into the brake, but it doesn't feel like it brakes much at all in the first second or so after you start to hit the pedal.

 

So, new lines is the way to increase pedal response?

 

Thanks for the replys

-Robert-

 

In my case, new lines improved the pedal firmness but not as much as I expected. I think some of the "softness" is in the master cylinder. I have heard of some swapping to the hydroboost setup from the HD trucks which appears to significantly improve braking. I believe there are quite a few parts that need to be swapped to do it.

[Giant]

from what I understand, putting on a new master cylinder is very expensive

[svensk]

from what I understand, putting on a new master cylinder is very expensive

It would probably cost you 2K to install an entire Baer brake system. But she would brake like a porsche then!

[C & A s Dad]

Hey,

 

Haul A$$ like a Chevrolet and brake like a Porche, sounds good to me.

 

Robert, may be you could install some of those "massive brake rotors" from the new Tojo Tundra. Just don't get any ideas about swapping to their camshaft.

 

On a serious note, my pedal in my Yukon XL is not as solid as I would like it to be. My pads and rotors look really good right now but when I change them I am going to try a set of our (CARQUEST) Premium Gold Ceramic pads supplied to us by Raybestos. I am also going to look hard at our severe duty rotors which are cross drilled and slotted. I am not sure if I will do this or not but they are pretty "meaty" looking rotors and not too expensive.

[steveR]

As all of the above comments, Pad and rotors. I also took off the heat shield/rock guard off my large 98 tahoe 4x4 knuckles. The thing is only 6 inches, just to get a little more air in there. It seemed to help with not warping out the rotors. Went with Brembo cross drilled oem size and carbon metallic pads. Also keep your brake fluid clean. It is hydroscopic. Should be almost clear, not yellow or brown. For my track cars, I would bleed them every race. Truck once a year.

 

A lot of those aftermarket brake kits require running large wheels. Keep that in mind when shopping.

[redvett]

Slowing down and keeping yourself plenty of braking distance between you and the vehicle in front of you will take care of the problem.

[Bish]

Slowing down and keeping yourself plenty of braking distance between you and the vehicle in front of you will take care of the problem.

 

And how exactly does that improve the braking of his vehicle?

[nomoduc]

Does anybody know of a kit that puts discs is rear of pre 4 wheel disc model trucks and suvs??

[67bird]

I used EBC greenstuff pads and the slotted/dimpled rotors. Stay away from fully drilled rotors as they have a tendnecy to crack from high heat cylces. Pedel got a little better, but the best for me was the reduction of dust. O'reilly's and Summit Racing carry them.

[hotwheels57]

Slowing down and keeping yourself plenty of braking distance between you and the vehicle in front of you will take care of the problem.

(redvett @ Jun 8 2007, 06:35 PM) *

 

And how exactly does that improve the braking of his vehicle?

(Bish @ Jun 8 2007, 02:00 PM)

 

The best brakes on the planet aren't going to help you stop (any quicker) if your reaction time is slow and/or you've used up your stopping distance by over driving for conditions.