Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SchochCustoms · 04-06-2014, 08:31 PM

So I've had this truck a few weeks now and the brakes have sucked for a while. Well, blew a tire over the weekend and when I took the tire off the brake rotor has a huge groove cut through the middle of it. It is REALLY bad.

So I ordered some 17" wheels and the stock brakes are going to look dumb inside there.

What kind of cheap brake upgrades are there for this thing? I know I can make my own brackets and find a way to mount some later model 2wd Chevy truck parts in there, but would be nice if someone already has that stuff to buy.

**lolife99** · 04-06-2014, 09:31 PM

The 71-72 rotors had a groove in the center of them from the factory.
Look at this thread.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=1514210

SchochCustoms · 04-06-2014, 10:26 PM

Learn something new every day!

Brakes still suck though. Maybe now that I know something isn't grinding I'll go ahead and fab my own brakes.

mgchevyparts · 04-06-2014, 10:49 PM

Factory 11.85" rotors with big piston caliper are pretty good brakes as is. I think you just need to get yours in proper working order to realize this. 11.85"-often called 12" are good size and will look fine behind 17" wheels.

**DreamRyder1963** · 04-06-2014, 11:39 PM

The brakes on my 71 stop very well and they are stock setup. You might just need new parts.

BlackedOut67shorty · 04-07-2014, 03:07 AM

Yeah, I had manual 67 stock brakes on mine and when I switched to discs from a 71 it was a night and day difference, just good pads and make sure there isn't any air in the system, might have to possibly adjust your brake peddle to take some slop off if it tends to be a bit sloppy.

SchochCustoms · 04-07-2014, 09:55 AM

Didn't realize the brakes were that big, just assumed they were little old GM brakes. I wasn't paying much attention to the brakes, was just assuming a lot about it.

Once I get to working on it this week I'll probably go ahead and put new pads/rotors/calipers on it and change out the brake fluid. The crap is 43 years old, can't hurt to replace it all.

**VetteVet** · 04-07-2014, 10:21 AM

Did you change the master cylinder to disc/drum and the proportioning valve to match. Disc brakes require more fluid and pressure to actuate the calipers.

brad_man_72 · 04-07-2014, 10:42 AM

You have good quality brakes, and everything is way cheap new. I remember replacing a caliper because a box of bleeders cost more. Make sure everything is clean, lubricated, adjusted properly and bled.

engineer_gregh · 04-07-2014, 10:51 AM

I would inspect the rear brakes. My stopping power drastically improved after reworking them. I had a bad wheel cylinder and didn't know it until I pulled the drum off.

SchochCustoms · 04-07-2014, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VetteVet

Did you change the master cylinder to disc/drum and the proportioning valve to match. Disc brakes require more fluid and pressure to actuate the calipers.

It has factory front discs, the truck is all stock.

SchochCustoms · 04-07-2014, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engineer_gregh

I would inspect the rear brakes. My stopping power drastically improved after reworking them. I had a bad wheel cylinder and didn't know it until I pulled the drum off.

I'm going to check them too, but the plan is to convert to rear discs.

kvn1011 · 04-07-2014, 11:44 AM

dupe post

kvn1011 · 04-07-2014, 11:53 AM

check out captainfab for the rear
i snagged the ImpalaSs rear kit
i just need to get the rear disc calipers and rotors from an impala and plum the lines
board vendor here

67 chevelle · 04-07-2014, 12:01 PM

Defiantly replace your rubber brake hoses , 2 up front , one in the rear , they will be a problem if original .

**VetteVet** · 04-07-2014, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchochCustoms

It has factory front discs, the truck is all stock.

I missed the year when I read the subject and saw brake upgrade I just assumed it was drums to discs.
Changing the brake hoses is definitely a plus. Did you get a good flow on bleeding?

imjeff · 04-07-2014, 02:21 PM

Brakes gradually gain "suck" over time. The biggest maintenance items I have seen on older vehicles are flexible hoses, bad brake fluid and poorly adjusted drum brakes. It's amazing how big an improvement you can get with new fluid and rubber lines on these old trucks.

GRX · 04-07-2014, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolife99

The 71-72 rotors had a groove in the center of them from the factory.
Look at this thread.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=1514210

It's a GM thing. My '70 ram air GTO still had the original rotors when I bought it and they also had the so called cooling groove.

04-06-2014, 08:31 PM	#1
SchochCustoms Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 23	Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? So I've had this truck a few weeks now and the brakes have sucked for a while. Well, blew a tire over the weekend and when I took the tire off the brake rotor has a huge groove cut through the middle of it. It is REALLY bad. So I ordered some 17" wheels and the stock brakes are going to look dumb inside there. What kind of cheap brake upgrades are there for this thing? I know I can make my own brackets and find a way to mount some later model 2wd Chevy truck parts in there, but would be nice if someone already has that stuff to buy. __________________ 1986 S-10 Blazer 4x4 - rustbucket 2005 Chevy Trailblazer - wifey wagon 2005 Chevy Tahoe - family hauler 1971 Custom 10 Deluxe - shop truck

04-06-2014, 09:31 PM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,691	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? The 71-72 rotors had a groove in the center of them from the factory. Look at this thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=1514210 __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

04-06-2014, 10:26 PM	#3
SchochCustoms Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 23	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? Learn something new every day! Brakes still suck though. Maybe now that I know something isn't grinding I'll go ahead and fab my own brakes. __________________ 1986 S-10 Blazer 4x4 - rustbucket 2005 Chevy Trailblazer - wifey wagon 2005 Chevy Tahoe - family hauler 1971 Custom 10 Deluxe - shop truck

04-06-2014, 10:49 PM	#4
mgchevyparts Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Upland, Calif Posts: 698	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? Factory 11.85" rotors with big piston caliper are pretty good brakes as is. I think you just need to get yours in proper working order to realize this. 11.85"-often called 12" are good size and will look fine behind 17" wheels. __________________ 1957 CHEVY 1/2 TON SHORT BED 1940 FORD 1/2 TON SHORT BED

04-06-2014, 11:39 PM	#5
DreamRyder1963 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 499	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? The brakes on my 71 stop very well and they are stock setup. You might just need new parts. __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Cheyenne (sold for Mazda) 1963 Chevy Corvair Pro-Touring Project 2012 Mazda 3 i Sport sedan http://www.dracoautodesigns.com/

04-07-2014, 03:07 AM	#6
BlackedOut67shorty Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: error 404 location not found Posts: 816	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? Yeah, I had manual 67 stock brakes on mine and when I switched to discs from a 71 it was a night and day difference, just good pads and make sure there isn't any air in the system, might have to possibly adjust your brake peddle to take some slop off if it tends to be a bit sloppy. __________________ 1995 s10 blazer 4.3 1967 c10 350/350 fleet short 1993 s10 blazer 4.3l 4l60 RIP 6/20/14 2000 mercury sable Thats a how I roll

04-07-2014, 09:55 AM	#7
SchochCustoms Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 23	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? Didn't realize the brakes were that big, just assumed they were little old GM brakes. I wasn't paying much attention to the brakes, was just assuming a lot about it. Once I get to working on it this week I'll probably go ahead and put new pads/rotors/calipers on it and change out the brake fluid. The crap is 43 years old, can't hurt to replace it all. __________________ 1986 S-10 Blazer 4x4 - rustbucket 2005 Chevy Trailblazer - wifey wagon 2005 Chevy Tahoe - family hauler 1971 Custom 10 Deluxe - shop truck

04-07-2014, 10:21 AM	#8
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,709	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? Did you change the master cylinder to disc/drum and the proportioning valve to match. Disc brakes require more fluid and pressure to actuate the calipers. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

04-07-2014, 10:42 AM	#9
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? You have good quality brakes, and everything is way cheap new. I remember replacing a caliper because a box of bleeders cost more. Make sure everything is clean, lubricated, adjusted properly and bled. __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,

04-07-2014, 10:51 AM	#10
engineer_gregh Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Smyrna TN Posts: 1,153	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? I would inspect the rear brakes. My stopping power drastically improved after reworking them. I had a bad wheel cylinder and didn't know it until I pulled the drum off.

04-07-2014, 11:44 AM	#13
kvn1011 Kvn1011 Join Date: May 2009 Location: kankakee il Posts: 560	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? dupe post __________________ My Build Thead (Project Slow Motion) Last edited by kvn1011; 04-07-2014 at 12:03 PM. Reason: duplicate post

04-07-2014, 11:53 AM	#14
kvn1011 Kvn1011 Join Date: May 2009 Location: kankakee il Posts: 560	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? check out captainfab for the rear i snagged the ImpalaSs rear kit i just need to get the rear disc calipers and rotors from an impala and plum the lines board vendor here __________________ My Build Thead (Project Slow Motion)

04-07-2014, 12:01 PM	#15
67 chevelle Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: WEST PALM FLORIDA Posts: 1,174	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? Defiantly replace your rubber brake hoses , 2 up front , one in the rear , they will be a problem if original . __________________ 68 Long Fleet , ly6 , turbo 350 , 3-5 drop , original paint , front discs 67 Small window , 7 foot bed , tweaked 6.0 LSX 2004R Medium Olive 58 Apache fleet , 235 , offy intake , dual exhaust , 4 on the floor , red/white 69 Long Fleet , Custom , 6.0, 4l60 , AC , Medium Olive

04-07-2014, 02:21 PM	#17
imjeff Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tacoma Washington Posts: 890	Re: Cheap brake upgrades for 71 C10 front brakes? Brakes gradually gain "suck" over time. The biggest maintenance items I have seen on older vehicles are flexible hoses, bad brake fluid and poorly adjusted drum brakes. It's amazing how big an improvement you can get with new fluid and rubber lines on these old trucks. __________________ I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time. 72 K10 396 75 Cj5 MPI 350 Chev 67 Chevelle 396, 4 speed 74 FXE 08 Tahoe



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