Camp, Forrest, Camp! wrote:
I am just starting to explore the options for upgrading brakes on my 2000 Chevy K3500 DRW truck. The hydro boost brakes have never impressed me, but they have always stopped the truck. The bad thing is that I chew through brakes in this thing and they aren't very powerful. I might get 10,000 miles out of a set if I'm lucky and panic braking is a scary experience as the truck pulls left and right and won't even grab enough to activate ABS when I have a load.
My brakes are due to be replaced and I am considering replacing the OEM system with something else but I don't know where to start. Is this something the brake shop can help me with or should I go to my regular mechanic? Are there specific terms or brands I should be looking out for? What technologies are out there? Any info would be appreciated.
Thanks.
P.S. This truck is driven almost exclusively with heavy loads up to 5,000 lbs in the bed and/or towing with a GCVW of 17,000 lbs with no trailer brakes.
Are you running OE pads and rotors on the front now? Have you tried Hi performance rotors/severe duty pads? The problem you are seeing is you are overloaded and the brakes were pretty much the week link back then. Single piston calipers and drum brakes that won't get rid of heat very well.
Have you changed the brake fluid out? I would say that is going to be one of your problems. I would have imagined you have boiled it a few times the way you talk.
