Caliper rebuild--iron single-piston

[Schurkey]

researching for a full (front and rear) brake system overhaul on my 98 K2500 8600lbs 8 lug as well.

Look at the sticker in the glovebox. The vehicle is probably equipped with JD7 brakes. Largest-diameter front rotors offered except for the C3500HD. 13" x 2.5" drums--largest diameter and second-widest drums offered.

The Delco calipers have bigger pistons than the 1500s and 6-lug 2500s.

I don't think there's any easy upgrade.

Order parts based on your brake ID on the sticker--which is probably JD7.

 

[RichardSwinger]

Yes sir! JD7 is in the alphabet soup sticker in the glovebox. Awesome, thank you! So AC Delco is the go-to brand for replacement kits huh? I was hoping some company out there would have made an upgrade like Wilwood or Stillen

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[Schurkey]

"I" would be unlikely to order a "kit". Rotors will be difficult to replace--gotta remove the hub, then knock-out the lug studs to split the rotor from the hub assy. Reuse the rotors as-is if they're in decent condition.

Calipers can likely be cleaned up and re-used.

Buy new pads and enough fresh brake fluid to flush the system.

The rears are similar--drums come off with the hubs/bearings, at least on my '97. A labor-intensive mess, which is why I haven't had mine apart, yet. (This may have changed on newer trucks.)

 

[RichardSwinger]

Oh jeez, the entire hub has to come off AND the studs need to get knocked out to get the rotors off?? Yep, that's DEFINITELY beyond my ability. I've done rotors on modern mopars before but once I unbolted the caliper the rotors came off with a few whacks with a hammer. I had a shop replace the front hubs and studs a few months ago, wish I had known it was that intrusive I would have had them do new rotors while they were in there. I really appreciate your help!

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[Schurkey]

I'd rather have used-but-usable OEM rotors than brand-new Communist Chinese rotors.

IF your OEM rotors are in adequate condition, not only did you save money, you have better rotors, AND you didn't reward the Commies/Communist Collaborators with your dollars.

Win, win, win.

The 5- and 6-lug trucks have slide-off rotors. Not the 8-lug applications.

 

[alpinecrick]

I didn't think about precise.... I can't see them being too precise given that they mount in rubber. $27 each??? At that point, I think I'd look into having brass sleeves made.



I've too have had trouble, but I don't think it's the pins, necessarily. I've thought that I should have been replacing the rubber bushings every time instead of trying to clean them. What have you been doing in that area?

Most of the time the pads that I'm buying come with all new rubber bushings for the pins/sleeves, so I install the new ones.

As I mentioned in a previous thread I have a inside pad (the one against the piston) that is "cocked" like one or both pins hung up on that caliper. I didn't replace the pins/sleeves but I did use new bushings.

 

[alpinecrick]

All the pads I've ordered recently have been "Made in USA" Performance Friction "Carbon Metallic".

https://pfcbrakes.com/

So, how are they working?

I'm all for Made In The USA when I can find them and/or can afford them. Would like to know how well they work, can't find any reviews for these pads in a pickup application.

 

[Schurkey]

So, how are they working?

I intend to buy more, as the other vehicle's pads wear-out and need to be replaced. I'm happy with 'em.

 

[454cid]

Most of the time the pads that I'm buying come with all new rubber bushings for the pins/sleeves, so I install the new ones.

What have you been buying? I've never gotten bushings with pads.

As I mentioned in a previous thread I have a inside pad (the one against the piston) that is "cocked" like one or both pins hung up on that caliper. I didn't replace the pins/sleeves but I did use new bushings.

I would think that's got more to do with the piston, as it pushes the pad directly on the inside.

 

[alpinecrick]

What have you been buying? I've never gotten bushings with pads.



I would think that's got more to do with the piston, as it pushes the pad directly on the inside.

454,
Most pads I have bought in recent times come with the rubber bushings. Here's the one's I have in my RA cart:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=5417244&cc=1051120&jsn=1902

At first blush that's what I was wondering, but I can look at the piston and could see if it was cocked, but it looks fine. If we think about it, pretty darn hard to get a piston cocked. I'm thinking it's combination of not using new pins/sleeves and maybe the mag chloride washing away my grease on the inside pad where it has to slide on the caliper. I used this Permatex grease on the slides, pins, inside pads, and where the calipers slides on the knuckle this past fall when I did the brakes on one of my vans and it seems to be working well. I'm going to use it on the rest of my vehicles and see if it continues to work well.
https://www.permatex.com/products/l...atex-ceramic-extreme-brake-parts-lubricant-2/