Recent content by Mikes98
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Tire PSI for hauling firewood
Tire pressures: another Pandora's Box akin to asking about motor oil. It's simple: on the sidewall of every tire is it's maximum load carrying capacity and the inflation pressure you need to meet that capacity ...which just so happens to be a tire's maximum inflation pressure (cold). You got... -
Popping noise when suspension articulates
Someone else with the same problem. I think I know of what you speak. I have a '98 GMC C1500 shortbed 2WD. Bought it in 2001. It would make this random "popping" sound ...coming from the rear of the truck. It would happen most often at slow speeds, as in a turn into a side street or parking lot...- Mikes98
- Post #30
- Forum: Axles + Brakes
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Air Intake Duct
I have to wonder if the "restrictions" were done as part of reducing NVH (noise, vibration, harshness). The small snorkel opening would act as a venturi to speed up the air flow and maybe that was a requirement for the resonator boxes (think: blowing across the neck of a Coke bottle). I had a...- Mikes98
- Post #23
- Forum: Engine Performance + Maintenance
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Brake light switch
Yeah, those clips. Some evil design engineer came up with these little bits of hell. The actual switch can be popped open ...just some simple switch contacts you can clean and put the thing back in.- Mikes98
- Post #13
- Forum: Axles + Brakes
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Oil pressure
Not a big fan of "pour in" fixes, but ...out of the clear blue, my '98 developed a valve ticking. Had recently changed the oil ...been on a 3K oil and filter change for most of her life. But there it was ...a tappet ticking that wouldn't go away. Decided to try the MMO ******. New fill of 4qts...- Mikes98
- Post #29
- Forum: Engine Performance + Maintenance
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Issues with drum brake roll pins
The shoes are often rebuilt ...basically new friction material is riveted onto used shoe frames. The pin hole may have worn over time to a point it's just a bit too big for the roll pin to stay put. You can try swapping the shoes since the leading/trailing drum brake system uses identical shoes...- Mikes98
- Post #9
- Forum: Axles + Brakes
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who are the go to steering/suspension parts now?
Agree with others about Mevotech. Just did the tie rod ends on my '98. O'Reilly's carries them under their house brand "Precision Chassis". These days it's a crap shoot in getting decent replacement parts. Name brands (like MOOG) don't guarantee quality anymore ...especially now that 95% of...- Mikes98
- Post #116
- Forum: Stock Suspension + Bolt On Kits
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Gramps truck
Just some ramblings ... my humble opinion here ... I wouldn't do anything "custom" to it; the truck looks to be in excellent shape. What I *would* do is peel off those side window "shades". Stepside beds are kinda rare to begin with but, matched with the extended cab and the small V-8, my guess...- Mikes98
- Post #22
- Forum: Member Trucks
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Replacement Brake Drums
Thanks for the reference and experience ...kinda what I was looking for. I figured there must be still one maker out there. I remember a few years back there was a company specializing in drum brake systems ...for classic cars and trucks and newer vehicles as well ...for owners who didn't want...- Mikes98
- Post #11
- Forum: Axles + Brakes
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Replacement Brake Drums
Yup. Been there done that and the assessment was it's the rear brakes.- Mikes98
- Post #10
- Forum: Axles + Brakes
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Replacement Brake Drums
Well, I had the drums turned, after putting about 500-800 miles on them, and the vibration and pulsing has decreased a lot ...not gone completely but definitely an improvement. So I'm guessing it's gotta be the drums. I looked at the front rotors (I rotated the tires at the same time since I had...- Mikes98
- Post #9
- Forum: Axles + Brakes
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Replacement Brake Drums
Yes. Agree, that's probably the case when the stuff has to come from half way round the world. Problem is there seems to be no way around it.- Mikes98
- Post #8
- Forum: Axles + Brakes
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Replacement Brake Drums
Oh yeah. The pulse is through the pedal ...there's no steering wheel vibrations if it were the front rotors. I've used the e-brake by itself (holding the release while applying e-brake pedal) and I can feel the pulsing through the e-brake pedal. At slow speeds, I can lightly apply the brakes and...- Mikes98
- Post #7
- Forum: Axles + Brakes
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Replacement Brake Drums
What replacement drums have you folks had good luck with? In particular, drums that are actually machined round to meet factory spec (.005 max out of round, if I recall correctly). My '98 GMC Sierra SL has the crappy 10" leading/trailing drum brakes. I recently replaced the shoes and went with...- Mikes98
- Thread
- Replies: 19
- Forum: Axles + Brakes
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rear brake problem
Yup. I went to the dealership early on and they dug up a "bumper" ...little rubber disc you stick in the driveshaft end of the slip joint. Supposed to soften the "thump". The parts guys also said just to grease the slip joint every so often. I've found that Bel-Ray water proof grease works best...- Mikes98
- Post #10
- Forum: Axles + Brakes
