Topic: need stronger brakes...

[HenryJ]

Even if all you are doing is a normal brake service it just makes sense to replace the parts with the late model ones and go to the bigger brakes up front. I just did a quick cost comparison and found the cost of the "upgrade" parts is less than $40 more than the stock replacement parts.
The complete upgrade can be done on the cheap for under $230.
For all those with 17" wheels, it is kind of a "no brainer" when choosing the front brake replacement parts.

[AvalancheAviator]

A bit of an update...

I went and pulled the trigger on the Napa brake parts. Including the slotted rotors and ceramic pads for the rear. Unfortunately, the pricing was more expensive and it's gone up again. Front brackets, calipers, rotors, pads, rear pads and rotors cost me just under $900. Pretty steep, but if I see a massive improvement, it's worth the money. Tomorrow's the big day. I'll report back after she's all done. 

[oHIobellboy]

I've been thinking of doing the fronts on mine to the gmt900 brakes. Is that the ones you did AA?

[AvalancheAviator]

Yeah, it is the gmt900 mod. I just went one step further and bought matching pads and rotors for the rear.

[MonstaMonsta]

A bit of an update...

I went and pulled the trigger on the Napa brake parts. Including the slotted rotors and ceramic pads for the rear. Unfortunately, the pricing was more expensive and it's gone up again. Front brackets, calipers, rotors, pads, rear pads and rotors cost me just under $900. Pretty steep, but if I see a massive improvement, it's worth the money. Tomorrow's the big day. I'll report back after she's all done. 

Can't wait to see the pictures!!  I recently bought a set of front and rear DBA rotors and SS brake lines which were a PIA to replace.  Noticed a difference after replacing the brake lines - braking was stiffer/firmer not so much of a difference after installing the drilled and slotted DBA rotors - UNTIL I had an emergency stop on the highway... WOW this thing brakes now.  Well worth the money.  Best part though is "No more Brake Fade"!!!!   I used to have this terrible problem on my 02 where after an emergency stop or braking over a long trip the brakes would become less and less effective.  Actually after a hard stop or two they would become useless at high speeds..  pretty scary.  Spent about 175 per DBA rotor = 350 total for the DBAs used a new set of Stock Delco Pads.  Spent 110 bucks? on the Russell stainless steel brake lines.  460 buck upgrade - saved me like a week later from a Horrific accident

Russell Stainless Steel Brake Line Thread can be found here - http://www.chevyavalancheclub.com/index.php?topic=13147.0

Some pictures of the DBA rotors and info on the install afterwards - http://www.chevyavalancheclub.com/index.php?topic=13223.0

Well worth the money, just wondering whether I shoulda just went with larger disc brakes in the front and did the whole caliper/bracket and everything else upgrade.  Also, like I've said in the other thread(s) DBA paints their rotors...  unfortunately paint doesnt last... Doesnt affect performance but the orangey rust doesnt look great ether..  I highly recommend anyone interested in new rotors get some that are Zinc Plated not "painted".  The DBA "Kangaroo Paw" vents Do work.  Its not hype these Brake discs dissipate heat Like a B*****!!!!!!

P.S.  The brake upgrade I did was prompted by the 20inch rims and 33" tires I recently added to the Avy.

I'll try to post some more pictures of the DBAs behind the wheels soon. 

[AvalancheAviator]

Glad you're satisfied MM! And still in one piece!!

I was thinking about going with high performance rotors and pads, but a friend of mine argued against it. He had his wheels off his 02 Tahoe and had his S.O., significant other, hit the brake pedal. He noticed that our front calipers flex outward under hard braking conditions. Of course that means massive uneven braking. 2 or 3 hard hard stops? Warped rotors and wasted money. I don't know if this is a design issue or something that happens as the truck ages. All I know is, I decided then to replace the calipers. Not only for the bigger rotor, but to hopefully solve that flexing problem...

As for the flex lines, I'm going to have them made. That same friend offered another compelling arguement against ss braided. He said that if, heaven forbid, you bottom out and crush the line, you instantly have no brakes. They don't crush and bounce back, they break. I think the pressure capacity from the factory is about 300 to 400 psi. If I can get just double capacity of factory, I'll be happy. He said that we could get 3000 psi, but I think that might be overkill. Plus, that has got to be a very stiff hose and might not flex very well...

Anyway, I've got to pick up the rotors and rear pads today. I just found out that it's going to rain, so it might be next weekend before I attack this and post pics...

Happy Trails!! 

[MonstaMonsta]

Thanks AA!  Mee too 

Flex outward?  Yeah I want to replace the front calipers just because they look terrible.  I've Stomped these Brakes going from 100 Miles/hr. to almost a stand still more than once already and they're still flat.  I may be lucky with my choice and these DBA rotors may be made really well.  I don't think they're warped, I may be wrong...  I dont sense any odd motion when I brake.  These rotors are exceptionally thick, and the vane design might be saving them from being warped (They have this interesting "Kangaroo Paw" Vane Setup) I just don't know - anyone's input here would be awesome.  I do know they run cooler than the OEMs rotors.

I'm super curious about the "flex outward" motion you said your friend noticed when the brakes were pressed.  Do you think our OEM front rotors are made in a way that accepts this outward flex or are they being punished due to being old or maybe design flaw by GM?  When I was picking up parts the other day from the dealer he said that the front rotors usually go on these trucks/ they warp and need replacing after a period of time. 

I wish I had found this thread when I was buying the front rotors.  I like the way you're thinking  ... I woulda bought the rotors for the 07 up "the larger diameter ones" and went ahead and purchased the bracket/caliper setup and been done with the brakes...  ofcourse when the mod bug bites theres never a "finished"  only a "currently satisfied"

hmmm..

As for the SS Lines.  I see you're friends point on the bottoming out and, god forbid, the worst happens.  I feared more - that the rubber hosing would eventually degrade and possibly burst.  I feel safer with newer SS brake lines vs. the OEM rubbers "especially since they provide stiffer braking".  I think I would understand your friend better if he were to provide some sort of secondary rubber tubing around the Stainless Steel Braided line in order to provide a secondary fail safe tube?  I don't know.  Nor am I sure.  I do remember the various manufacturers (Goodridge/Stoptech/Russell) that I was to choose from rated their SSB lines anywhere from 2000 Psi to 3000 Psi.
I did'nt go with Goodridge or Stoptech because I wasn't sold on their quality and didn't like the reports that the aluminum banjo bolts that came with ether set of hoses breaks when tightened due to the aluminum construction.
^ Again this is not from my own experience anyone who knows better feel free to correct me.  The Russell SSBL don't even come with new banjo bolts.  I just thought the Russells "looked better" and was reassured by a fellow member "waz" who installed them on his 04, and his other trucks.  He highly recommends them, and so far so do I!  Heres the Russell Brake Line Thread   (Haha, I see you've found it already Thanks for the answer to the hub question AA!) -> http://www.chevyavalancheclub.com/index.php?topic=13147.0

I don't know what the Russell brake lines are rated at.  Heres the website with the russell lines, its probably on there somewhere, http://www.russellperformance.com/mc/brake_hoses/hoses_domestic.shtml

[AvalancheAviator]

You make a very good arguement for ss braided, MM!! 

While I was picking up the rest of the parts, I got new front flex lines from napa. I'm going to give those a shot for now. My dad has a 2010 Sierra and his brakes are much much firmer than mine. I have to believe that the newer flex lines have something to do with that fact...

As for the caliper flexing....
I have to believe it's due to our trucks' age. Maybe I've got the rose colored glasses on, but I don't think GM would put a flexing caliper on their 6500lb, full size trucks and send them to the dealership. Yes, they would put brakes on that are too small....  I mean, think about it. If it's supposed to flex, it would get worse and worse as the vehicle ages...

Ok, I've had my coffee. Time to attack this job! I know, I know. GRAB THE CAMERA!! 

[AvalancheAviator]

Well, the job's done! I went ahead and replaced the rear calipers as well. I bled the whole system and had it checked by my mechanic. What a difference!! I'll get the pics up in a bit...

[oHIobellboy]

2 months later and still

I just got my front rotors and pads yesterday. Got them on eBay from a midwest company called brake motive. GMT900 drilled and slotted rotors and Powerstop Evolution ceramic pads. Shipped to the house for about $170. Dang box weighs 59 lbs according to the shipping label.