Somebody stop me!
 

Hey guys,
It's been a while since I've been on. My 71 4wd isn't stopping very well. I had to make an emergency stop the other day and I realized I couldn't even lock em up. Might I have a bad booster? Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Drew

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

How must pressure do you have to apply in a normal stop?

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

How much fade on the pedal?Right away,only when hit hard,after pressure applied for awhile?

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

One very common upgrade is to swap to 3/4 ton master/booster.

What size tires are you running?

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

the best way to check a booster : with your truck off , apply pressure to the brake pedal , start the motor , if the pedal moves down , the booster is good.

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

71-72 1/2 ton trucks and K5's brakes suck in my opinion. My GMC is the same way in panic situations, and for towing they are very underpowered and fade out easy. I have replaced everything in my braking system and have achieved nothing as far as better performing brakes. I will be getting a ¾ ton power brake booster for both my K1500 and my Blazer that is the way to go. If you noticed that GM addressed the problem with the 73 ½ ton’s and K5’s they went to a larger dual diaphragm power brake booster and wider brake shoes in the rear otherwise they are basically the same braking system but stop much better. The 67-70 ½ ton trucks used drum front brakes and the power brake booster was adequate for a 4 drum braking system but in 71 they changed to disc brakes and still used the old power brake booster and that is why they suck. When I drive my Dad’s 70 K20 I just about put myself through the windshield the first time I tap on the brakes, and that is what makes me realize how bad mine really are.

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

Scares me just reading it :eek:

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

Luvy u havent mobbed yours around enuff to have any "emergency stop" situations, huh? ;)

or have you just gone out and gotten on the brakes as hard as possible to find out how yours stops?

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

Mine is 100% new parts, pads, rotors, drums, shoes, lines, m/c,
booster, ppv, fluid, everything and it doesn't stop very well :crazy:

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

Meybe yours only need a good bleeding?

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

Oooooops, I forgot, we gravity bled it, power bled it, bench bled the mc,
and I still got squishy brakes, I think my 4wd needs the 3/4 ton upgrade

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

I'm running 33's on a 4" lift. During normal driving situations it seems to be adequate. The pedal seems a little stiff. I've bled a couple of times thinking "this time I'll get it". So I don't think that's the problem. I just want to make sure that, before I upgrade, there isn't anything else I could do.

And speaking of upgrade; has anyone done a rear disc conversion kit with e-brake that they'd be willing to recommend?

Thanks for the input.
Drew

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

mines exactly the same, i got new everything also. looking into doing a 3/4ton system now its scary driving on the freeway when everyone stop's and your left hoping your truck stops..

-Cameron

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

My one ton blazer running 39.5's w/rear disk's stops better than my 1/2 ton running 33's...:crazy:

High Angle sells a drive shaft e-brake set up.
http://highangledriveline.com/
http://highangledriveline.com/Copy_of_Picture_153.jpg

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

Similar crappy braking with my blazer. Just swapped to a 3/4 ton booster--same problem. The only thing I haven't replaced is the calipers which will be next. Given that 70-80% of the braking comes from the front and I can lock up the right rear, I'm hoping this is the problem. What a PITA though!!

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

im gonna try steel braided lines and a correct brake job, somthing tells me the PO just slapped pads on a glazed over rotor.

-Cameron

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

I bet that would make a world of difference. :agree: :gi:

Now that you mention it, my one ton has those as well.

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

yea i figured it would be a good mod regardless if i stayed with 1/2 ton brakes or went to a 3/4 ton setup. never know, they just might fix the problem.

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

Just wondering if you adjusted the pads properly before bleeding the brakes?:crazy: My 72 blazer brakes great and locks em up.:hi2:

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

ya must be nice. im not messing around. im getting the hydrobust setup from a 73 style one ton. that will solve my breaking problems. my dads 83 one ton stops better than most new trucks.

Re: Somebody stop me!
 

Just curious.......does the 3/4 ton setup just bolt on to the Blazer? Sounds like a no brainer if it does.