Brake Job - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Andy4639 · 02-11-2006, 02:08 PM

OK I took the 71 to have all the brakes checked, and to have the A/C fixed. Fixing to go out of town for about 30 day's. So I wanted to make sure it was ready to go. What did I find.

Brakes are shot. Over 300,000 miles on the truck.

Problems: Rotor's,caliper's,rear drums, and wheel cyclinders all the original rubber hoses replaced, new pads and shoes.
Rotor's had been turned to many times.
Calipers where stuck, I rebuilt them the last time so I bought new.
While inspecting front brakes noticed front springs didn't look right, guess what both springs where broke, passenger side was broke into 3 peices, driver side was in 2 peices.
Put new 2" droped springs in front, 3" droped in back. New lower ball joints in both sides up front.

One note of interest to all 71 disc brake front ends.
1973 calipers will work on the factory rotors of the truck. The only difference is more hose angle.

**Boog** · 02-11-2006, 04:59 PM

Good thing you had it checked!

Andy4639 · 02-11-2006, 06:27 PM

Yes your right. I had been wanting to get it checked just didn't take the time.While I was there I also got a complete serpintine set up off a 4.3 v-6. Got all the bracket's and alternator,power steering pump,Old A/C. The A/C compressor doesn't work, but I can change mine all out for it and go to the small compressor. Later be able to add headers.

**dennislbrooks** · 02-11-2006, 06:38 PM

good to know on the 73 calipers what about to 87?-- thanks

Andy4639 · 02-11-2006, 09:46 PM

I don't know about anything over the 73. The reason I found this out is the new caliper's from NAPA came in wrong. They sent caliper's for a 73 instead of a 71.

02-11-2006, 02:08 PM	#1
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Brake Job OK I took the 71 to have all the brakes checked, and to have the A/C fixed. Fixing to go out of town for about 30 day's. So I wanted to make sure it was ready to go. What did I find. Brakes are shot. Over 300,000 miles on the truck. Problems: Rotor's,caliper's,rear drums, and wheel cyclinders all the original rubber hoses replaced, new pads and shoes. Rotor's had been turned to many times. Calipers where stuck, I rebuilt them the last time so I bought new. While inspecting front brakes noticed front springs didn't look right, guess what both springs where broke, passenger side was broke into 3 peices, driver side was in 2 peices. Put new 2" droped springs in front, 3" droped in back. New lower ball joints in both sides up front. One note of interest to all 71 disc brake front ends. 1973 calipers will work on the factory rotors of the truck. The only difference is more hose angle. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

02-11-2006, 04:59 PM	#2
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,514	Re: Brake Job Good thing you had it checked! __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

02-11-2006, 06:27 PM	#3
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Brake Job Yes your right. I had been wanting to get it checked just didn't take the time.While I was there I also got a complete serpintine set up off a 4.3 v-6. Got all the bracket's and alternator,power steering pump,Old A/C. The A/C compressor doesn't work, but I can change mine all out for it and go to the small compressor. Later be able to add headers. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. Last edited by Andy4639; 02-11-2006 at 06:27 PM.

02-11-2006, 06:38 PM	#4
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,798	Re: Brake Job good to know on the 73 calipers what about to 87?-- thanks

02-11-2006, 09:46 PM	#5
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Brake Job I don't know about anything over the 73. The reason I found this out is the new caliper's from NAPA came in wrong. They sent caliper's for a 73 instead of a 71. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



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