Truck brakes

[Rowski]

Gordon,

It doesn't have the load sensing bar. My '84 chevy K35 dump had one, it gone now, probably why it's got excellent brakes. I beleive they did away with them when they had anti-lock brakes installed. It seems (at least around here) that most trucks now come sstandard with rear wheel anti-lock. These anti-lock systems are just a single channel and compare actual deceleration with a predetermined allowable decel.

Derek

 

[Rowski]

Von that is a good idea. Two things: 1) It's a little more work than I really would like to get into, but if it the only way out it may have too. 2) Rear disc brake don't last up here in the winter with all the salt and road grime. There is alot of "misting" going on under the truck more as you get to the rear. This leads to all sorts of trouble. Rusting (pitting) of the machined surface of the rotor and frozen (stiff) caliper and brake pad sliders. I see alot of trouble with car rear disc brakes with problems mentioned above. I do agree that 4 wheel disc are better.

Derek

 

[Rowski]

Re: Truck brakes...UPDATE

Took the rear drums off Monday. Very little brake dust in it. Cleaned it out. Check both wheel cylinder, not leaking and not stiff. Sanded the drums and shoes. Put it back together. Bleed the entire system, no air and what looks like good pressure at the wheel cylinders. Adjusted the rear brakes a little tighter then normanl, slight dragging noise when spining wheel on stands. Didn't get to tow in a car yet. Driving on the road seems to be a little better, hard to tell though because problem was only in the hills and loaded.

There is a splitting valve that screws onto the rear port (rear brakes). Dealer only lists one valve for the truck and costs about $105. My part store did some talking to Raybestos tech support. They claim the brake system (rear) is the biggest they make before going to disc system, This disc system is on the F-superduty and up. I have a few other weak leads I'm looking into. But for now the truck is going to be used the way it is, but with extra care. I'm comming up to my busy time of the year and don't have extra time to "try things out" to see if they work. Maybe in the summer.

Thanks to everybody in helping with their thoughs, ideas, and comments.

Derek