Advice On Rear Disc Brake Kit

[jastewart25]

Hi All,

Just bought my first square and I'm not really mechanical so any and all advice is helpful.

It's a 1985 K10 10 bolt axle with drum brakes that pulls to the right consistently upon braking. After checking everything out, I've decided to install disc brakes.

1) Any recs on kits? Summit Racing? Jegs? Etc...

2) Do I have to do both front and back or just the rear?

Thank you all!

[andrewmp6]

You will have to change the master cylinder and maybe the proportioning valve.As far as kits go some have a ebrake some don't so if that matters to you get the one you need.

[86c20]

whats the use of the truck? i tow alot and the drums are fine if u know how to drive. not saying dont do it just saying maybe money well spent else where

[riz]

you should only have drums on the rear. You'll need a proportioning valve to switch to rear discs.

RIZ

[INSIDIOUS '86]

IMHO it's a waste of money. Esp considering that the same money used can be had on upgrades for the front brakes and yield a 100% improvement over rear discs alone.

The rears never did that from factory so there's still something wrong. Make sure big pads are on back (BOB, Big On Back) and no grease or oils. Drums are turned fresh and all components new.

Blackbirds customs has some good rear disc kits for a decent price if you still want them
On top of what others have said. Also change out rear brake lines for smaller lines like the front instead of the large tube for drums.

[jastewart25]

truck use is daily driving around town and on farm.

not towing anything except a 4 wheeler to and from deer camp about 50 miles away.

calipers/pads/hoses etc all checked out.

from little to hard braking it's a serious pull to the right. definitely not drivable safety wise on highway.

so, some people say switch the front only, others say the rear? i'm confused: can i just switch both and be done with it? i really want straight-line braking.

as for the cylinder and prop valve, what's the expense associated with this? is it hard to switch out? i have access to a mechanic who will be installing the kit.

i just hate that i spent all that money on the truck and i can't drive it! it's like having a toy on christmas you can't play with.

[jastewart25]

[QUOTE=INSIDIOUS '86;6929319]
The rears never did that from factory so there's still something wrong.

so you think that the problem lies in the rear vs the front on truck?

thanks for advice!

[Stepper86]

Are you sure your problem is the rear brakes? If you can feel that much pulling when you brake I would be more inclined to think your problem is up front. Uneaven brakes on the rear is not that noticable.

[jastewart25]

Originally Posted by Stepper86

Are you sure your problem is the rear brakes? If you can feel that much pulling when you brake I would be more inclined to think your problem is up front. Uneaven brakes on the rear is not that noticable.

i agree. i don't think it's the rear at all. that's why i'm asking if i have to change both rear and front?

thanks!

[Bigstevex4]

Spend your money on what you want> But back my lifted 4WD days that mod was at least a grand. Unless your running some real large diameter tires you wont notice any Benefit. You'll probably find pulling problem is a stuck piston or slider with caliper.

[krazy_texan]

I would put new calipers and pads on the front re bleed the system and see how much your brakes improve you likely have a stuck calipee or guide pins

[homemade87]

Originally Posted by jastewart25

Hi All,

Just bought my first square and I'm not really mechanical so any and all advice is helpful.

It's a 1985 K10 10 bolt axle with drum brakes that pulls to the right consistently upon braking. After checking everything out, I've decided to install disc brakes.

1) Any recs on kits? Summit Racing? Jegs? Etc...

2) Do I have to do both front and back or just the rear?

Thank you all!

Jastewart, I agree with a post above , if you are pulling left or right it is not the rear . The front has a problem . It is a very common problem that the front hoses will calapse inside . It will either hold pressure or not allow pressure . This will cause only one side to work proper and could cause your problem of pulling to one side. If it was me I think I would replace both front caliper hoses and see if that fixed your problem before replacing all. If it does, great. If not then a caliper could be the problem . Either way its best to replace both hoses anyway.

If changing to rear wheel disc, its not as easy as that. The bolt up part goes fine . It getting the proper balance to the front and rear . You have changed the hole design and balance of the system. I just went thru this with a big battle to get my braking peddle at a acceptable feel. Do a search on here and will will see most have a soft peddle after a rear wheel disc change and a imbalance front to rear.

If all you want is a descent braking system I would keep the rear drums and save you the hassle of figuring out your brake system after a disc conversion.. They are fine for what you want to do. Fix the front . That seem to be where your problem is.

[andrewmp6]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

IMHO it's a waste of money. Esp considering that the same money used can be had on upgrades for the front brakes and yield a 100% improvement over rear discs alone.

The rears never did that from factory so there's still something wrong. Make sure big pads are on back (BOB, Big On Back) and no grease or oils. Drums are turned fresh and all components new.

Blackbirds customs has some good rear disc kits for a decent price if you still want them
On top of what others have said. Also change out rear brake lines for smaller lines like the front instead of the large tube for drums.

Blackbirds customs closed up shop http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/

[jastewart25]

Originally Posted by homemade87

Jastewart, If all you want is a descent braking system I would keep the rear drums and save you the hassle of figuring out your brake system after a disc conversion..

thank you homemade87 and to all who have given input.

y'all have most definitely changed my mind about rear disc conversion.

i will replace hoses/pads/calipers and bleed the brakes to start. i have a feeling it will be fixed after this (praying!)

thanks again for hopefully saving me $ and heartache!