'85 C3500 drilled/slotted rotors

[Alex V.]

The wifey gave me the go-ahead to put new front brakes on my '85 C3500 (454/auto, SRW) so I'm in the market for a set of drilled and/or slotted front rotors for the Bendix slide-style brakes. I found one source (SS Brakes) but that's about all I've come up with so far.

I'm looking for upgraded rotors because several years ago I'd warped the originals, had them turned, and not 2 months (and maybe 1000 miles?) afterward they warped again. It could just be the old, sticky calipers, but whatever I do I need to make sure I solve the problem because I can't afford to throw more money at it than is necessary. I plan to replace the calipers this time.

[burban nate]

While the concept is good in theory drilled rotors can actually stress crack from the heat under extreme use. You can have a machine shop mill slots in if you want them, but be prepared for accelerated pad wear. Personally if it were me I'd just buy a set of AC Delco Professional or Raybestos Professional rotors and make sure the rest of the system is operating properly. When you replace the calipers take a surface conditioning disk on a grinder and clean the slide surfaces down to bare iron, a wire brush is not aggressive enough for this. Then grease the slides with a good water proof grease. These should be greased regularly to keep them from seizing.

Nate

[Alex V.]

I had a feeling at least one person would say that. :P I doubt they warped the week after it left the lot, so it stands to reason this style caliper is just less immune to the effects of time. Thanks!

[Alex V.]

Finally got the brakes serviced. I wound up going with stock equipment from Napa, with the more expensive option wherever it applied + ceramic pads. Through 6-7 hard near-stops from 40 MPH they're still nice and smooth, and way less prone to locking up. I also manually adjusted the rears (which were done 2 years, maybe 12,000 mi. ago but consistently fail to auto-adjust, I think because of that darned load-sensitive proportioning valve) and now she'll go from 55-0 in about 4 truck lengths.