Front Rotor Replacment On A 2500hd Gmc

fataugie · August 2, 2007

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but tomorrow I'm going to replace the front pads and rotors on my 2003 GMC 2500HD. It's a 4x4. I have it jacked, the tires off and the calipers loose but it was getting dark and so I put it off to tomorrow. In the meantime, I thought I should look around and see if there's anything I should watch out for. I know I have to be careful of the anti-lock stuff, but I ran across something that made me pause.

I ran across in a Google search someone describing how to remove the rotors from a 2500 suburban built in the 90's and it included something about pressing the rotors off the wheel studs?

What!?!?! I'm used to "regular" passenger cars where when you remove the caliper, the rotor falls off the studs and lands on your foot if everything goes well....or else it's welded itself with rust to the hub and requires some persuasion with a sledge and some swear words.

Is there anything I should know before attempting this tomorrow?

Thanks

Tony

vxaxv17 · August 2, 2007

I recently replaced the rotors/pads on all 4 wheels for my 02 2500HD sierra 4x4. The fronts were cake compared to the rears. After removing the caliper, the rotor came right off. No, it didnt FALL off, but there was no resistance when i pulled on it. The rears however required a bit of 'persuasion' with a large hammer. I assume this had to do with the emergency brake assembly. Either way, I did all 4 wheels with a buddy in about 4 hours including trips back inside for more brews...

Next time i'll set up a cooler outside!

Good luck.

fataugie · August 2, 2007

OK, well the latest update is I ended up putting everything back together and taking it to the dealer. I couldn't get the brackets that hold the pads out. I didn't have the right sized socket in 1/2 drive, and I broke everything I had in 3/8".

Later, they told me that they had a hard time getting the rotors separated from the hubs. So, does that mean they need to be pressed out like that post I ran across? Also, they told me the left side caliper was frozen. Aren't the pucks made out of some sort of plastic? How does plastic get frozen to metal?

I hope they're not BS'ing me to run the bill because I didn't buy the parts from them. I doubt it, but the frozen caliper makes me somewhat suspicious. Either way, I get the truck back tomorrow. They didn't have a caliper in stock, and the parts store sent the wrong one, then sent the right box with the wrong caliper inside.

Nice...

vxaxv17 · August 3, 2007

OK, well the latest update is I ended up putting everything back together and taking it to the dealer. I couldn't get the brackets that hold the pads out. I didn't have the right sized socket in 1/2 drive, and I broke everything I had in 3/8".

I forgot that part. After you take the caliper off, you have to remove the bracket that holds the pads...I forget the size of the bolt but its something like 16mm. I had the right size in 1/2 drive and with a largish ratchet, it came off ok.

Later, they told me that they had a hard time getting the rotors separated from the hubs. So, does that mean they need to be pressed out like that post I ran across? Also, they told me the left side caliper was frozen. Aren't the pucks made out of some sort of plastic? How does plastic get frozen to metal?

Like i mentioned, my front rotors came right off after the caliper and bracket was removed. Also, there is no plastic whatsoever on the caliper. The 2 HUGE pistons are definitely metal. Caliper movement was nice and smooth on mine and inside and outside pads were worn pretty evenly. This was the first brake job after 5 years! They were the original pads and rotors.

I hope they're not BS'ing me to run the bill because I didn't buy the parts from them. I doubt it, but the frozen caliper makes me somewhat suspicious. Either way, I get the truck back tomorrow. They didn't have a caliper in stock, and the parts store sent the wrong one, then sent the right box with the wrong caliper inside.

Hard to say whats going on here. Have you used this dealer before? Do you trust them?

I bought my parts from the dealer and did the work myself. How many miles on the truck? Ive heard of seized calipers on some trucks before, but have yet to see it...

Jim

fataugie · August 4, 2007

I forgot that part. After you take the caliper off, you have to remove the bracket that holds the pads...I forget the size of the bolt but its something like 16mm. I had the right size in 1/2 drive and with a largish ratchet, it came off ok.

No problem. The bolts were actually 21mm. I have up to 19mm in 1/2" drive, but I go up to 22mm in 3/8".

Like i mentioned, my front rotors came right off after the caliper and bracket was removed. Also, there is no plastic whatsoever on the caliper. The 2 HUGE pistons are definitely metal. Caliper movement was nice and smooth on mine and inside and outside pads were worn pretty evenly. This was the first brake job after 5 years! They were the original pads and rotors.

Yeah, mine was original also. 54K miles on a 2003. The past year and a half the truck hasn't seen alot of miles due to gas prices being that high. We drive it about once or twice a week to keep things moving....and of course when we need to haul something. But as far as joy riding...not anymore.

The pucks seemed to be made out of something other than metal, but upon reflection I don't know if GM would put plastic in a high pressure application like the calipers of a 3/4 ton HD machine. I had the right side apart and managed to push the pucks back in with no problem, but the left side was the one that was screwed. When I was cleaning out the pucks of crap that had fallen into them, it had a plastic feel to them. Not steel.

Hard to say whats going on here. Have you used this dealer before? Do you trust them?
I bought my parts from the dealer and did the work myself. How many miles on the truck? Ive heard of seized calipers on some trucks before, but have yet to see it...

Jim

Actually, I do sort of trust the dealer. Previous to this spring, I trusted them absolutely. They've been great. But a new "management team" has been brought in by the owner to shake things up. The new "team" runs some local used car dealerships, so in my estimation things have gotten "cheaper" and more mickey mouse to maximize profits. There are some old timers left, but there's a lot of new faces.

The first thing they did was raise the labor rate $3 an hour, removed the nice, comfortable couch in the waiting room and replaced it with cheap seats, brought in a bunch of used cars from their other lots and are pushing them more and more. I know they're in the business of making money, but to see what it was to what it's become is disheartening. This is why I'm suspicious now when I hear something that doesn't add up. They've taken care of me in the past when I've had problems and I've never left feeling screwed. But with the new "team", I'm not so sure, time will tell.

As an update, I got the truck back and they did change the caliper. It is working fine and I can't complain. It sucks that I couldn't do the work myself. It turned the thing into a $621 brake job.

But at least I have it fixed, new rotors and ceramic pads, I should be good for a while. I think I'm OK, and they were very nice, giving me a loaner without even asking. I will keep evaluating as time goes on and if things keep going like this, it should be OK.

Thanks

Tony

ChevyTech007 · August 5, 2007

The first thing they did was raise the labor rate $3 an hour

I bet the techs didn't see a dime of that.

Typical bean counter mentality.

Been in GM dealers for 23 years and have seen it all.

I change dealers every year or two.

Whoops, off topic, sorry.

Glad you brakes are fixed.

fataugie · August 5, 2007

I wouldn't doubt it. This dealership was the first that I actually bought a second car from. Most make me want to run in the other direction after the first time. And they are the only dealership I've taken my vehicles to for work other than warranty work. That was before the change.

The service side seems to be the same high level, but the sales has gone typical car dealer which is too bad. I'll still be wary of the service for a while and will probably never buy a car there again unless they detach themselves from the used car management team.