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Time for new brakes. Recommendations?

C

coachjpg

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Folks,

I'd appreciate recommendations for vendors who can supply brake parts. It will soon be time for new pads, rotors, and shoes at least, and I suspect we'll find rust issues in the calipers etc. when we get in there. I'm *really* tired of fighting rust, so I'm inclined to use stainless where I can.

In searching the forums I found nobby's recommendation for Inline Tube's SS brake lines, so I'm in contact with them.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
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Oh, I see you have a 3500HD like me......I don't think they make a set of pads for your (our) rigs, with the 19.5 wheels.

But check it out, maybe special order or you need to speak with a sales rep......Let me know how you make out.

When I need brakes I usually go to the dealer and get AC Delco pads, the few aftermarket sets I've tried were garbage....I usually pay about $200 a pair, and thats with my discount (wholesale) price.
 
I like the Hawk Composite pads, not just ceramic, and slotted rotors for sure. I dont think there are many choices for shoes.

There are posts about double piston calipers that are bolt on. I would look into those.
 
coach, do you have a C3500, or a C3500HD? the HD is 4 wheel disc, and a drum park brake on the tailshaft housing. C3500 is disc front, drum back

I would go to rock auto, and browse there. they do carry C3500HD stuff. just remember C3500HD is 15,000 gross, C3500 is 10-12K, depending on drive type and options.

good luck!
 
PowerSlot Cryo Rotors and Hawk pads up front.

Perhaps a rear disc conversion on the rear. TSM rear disc conversion, ask for the double caliper brackets, that way if you wish you can install a E-Brake caliper for the E-Brake only and a non E-Brake Caliper for the normal brake actuation (gives you a larger diameter piston bore in the caliper).

Cheers
Nobby
 
The SSBC site talks about their aluminum, multi piston calipers. But, I could not find anything more than pads and rotors for a 94 Chevy K2500 pickup. What am I doing wrong?

Don
 
buddy and guybb3

Your replies got me to searching through Rockauto. Apparently, if you have the 7200 GVW 3/4 ton (6 lug) the parts can interchange with the 1/2 ton parts. But, the 8600 GVW (8 lug) parts do not interchange. I didn't spend a lot of time on it to see if 1 ton parts would interchange. Maybe I'll go back to check that out.

Don
 
Did some more searching comparing K2500 and K3500 brake parts. It appears that the K3500 SRW and the 8 lug K2500 share parts. Then when you go to the K3500 DRW the rotor is thicker. All other rotor dimensions are the same whether it's the K2500, K3500 SRW, or K3500 DRW; outer diameter, inner diameter, heigth, studs, stud circle diameter. Naturally, the K3500 DRW caliper matches the thicker K3500 DRW rotor, just don't know if the piston is bigger. So maybe a matching set of K3500 DRW rotor and caliper would interchange onto the K2500 hub. Whether the K3500 DRW rotor and caliper would be a viable swap to the K2500 hub would depend on the caliper piston size, and if the caliper mounting bolt pattern was the same.

I guess it's time for some more research---tomorrow.

If anybody has hands on experience in this please chime in.

Don
 
Brooklyn Tow said:
And you have 16" wheels as opposed to 19.5".....Correct?
Click to expand...

Right. The tires are 225/75R16.

Update: I need to replace the rear brakes right now. :( The local mechanic mentioned that he saw a cracked shoe when he did my safety inspection. It sounds like the cracked shoe broke this morning.

I have a friend who restores old trucks. He'll help me install new brakes, but I'd like to have all the parts on hand when we do it. I hate driving back and forth for parts.

The TSR rear disk kit looks complete, but it looks like parts will cost about $1000 by the time it's done.

I found lots of vendors who offer well-documented kits, but none for the C3500.

Looking at Rock Auto, I find no "kit". It looks like $550 for new drums and shoes, but I'm sure I'll need to replace the hydraulics etc. also. I don't know enough to know what to order. I'm guessing it will end up around $750 for parts. And from the noise it made this morning, I'm pretty sure I'll need drums.

The local mechanic estimated $1000-1200 for the job. He also recommended repacking the axle grease and replacing the seal while the wheel is apart.

I'm familiar with engine and body work, but I've always been leery about working on brakes, so I have no expertise there. My friend has the expertise, but he doesn't know the C3500. So I'm asking folks here for guidance. Should I take it to the mechanic and get new shoes for 1000-1200, or go with the TSR disc conversion for about the same price? Or can someone point me to a vendor who will sell me a package containing all I'll need to replace my shoes and drums myself?

Thanks in advance,
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Do you have the full floater rear end?? If so,, those rear drums,, come off with the axle attached!! So you'll be doing some rear end fluid also,, should get a gasket, and seals, and replace all the diff fluid at that time. If not, then you can get drums and shoes from you local Napa, O'riely's, Advanced, AutoZone, ect.
 
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