Last July 7th 02, Re: "Better Brakes Anyone?" I posted this:

Alpine:

I will be changing my front pads in a day or two, a Ceramic pad from Napa. This will be the first time using them. Also the back lining, but they are the standard medal lining, they cant be any worse then what was on the truck from the start. But will post the results as they unfold. Robert
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Now after 5 months and aprox 15000 miles later sence I left Canada, and I guess that about 8000 of that was pulling a 30' 5th wheel. I checked my breaks last week before I left KY and my front pads, [the front pads are the ones I changed over to Ceramic] They looked like I just put them on.
Compared to the standard lining that I changed twice within 30,000 miles each.

So my conclusion is; The Ceramics are the best that I have tried so far. I don't know how to compare them to 'Carbon Kevlar' but for the cost as I see it now the Ceramics are hard to beat.

Robert

 

A MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE WAS TELLING ME ABOUT A FACTORY UPGRADE TO A GM CALIPER OR PISTON,,,NOT SURE,,BUT HE SAID THIS IS AN AWESOME SET UP AND I WILL BE DOING IT SOON I'LL LET YOU KNOW

 

Sounds very interesting. I have one concern though, if the pads are super hard then they are putting extra wear on the rotors. I'd rather put on a dozen sets of pads than put on a set of rotors.<br><br>John<br><br>

 

atc: I would be the first one to hollar if what you said showed up. I agree, but I checked the rotors as well and didn't see any abnormal wear on them ether.

Besides, a dozen sets of pads would be about the same price as a set of rotors.


Robert

 

OH,<br><br> That sounds good. As soon as I need fronts I'll give them a try. How are they as far as making dust on your wheels? I would guess that since they aren't wearing as much they aren't blackening up your front wheels too much.<br><br>John<br><br>

 

atc: certenly not any more than others .

 

OH, I have been meaning to ask you, what is the advantage of running the one ton wheel cyl's?<br><br>John

 

Well John, I must say that it was not my thought. I saw a post on the change over here on this site so I printed it out and took it to our local Dodge dealership and told them what I was about to do and showed them the print out. The service manager was some taken back until he went to check his TSB and low and behold what do you think he saw? There was a TSB from Dodge that sponsored the same Idea. And when you think about it, it sure seems logic. I forget the specs, but for our conversation let me say that the stock wheel cyl has a 9/16&quot; bore. and it exerts a certain amount of force to expand the break shoes out against the drum. Now if you were to increase the bore size to 11/16 that would increase the force or pressure that is exerted on the drums for the same amount of foot pressure on the petal. Hence; better rear brakes than you had before.

I found that the front disks were doing the work of the rear brakes as I changed front pads twice and I still have the original brake shoes on the rear that came with the truck, But I must say that the rear breaks are doing a lot more of the work than before.

Now, I wont be hurt if someone would like to chime in and add there two cents worth, and maybe they can explain it better than I have.

At first before I changed the rear cyl I was having trouble with my front brakes [in snow and ice] locking up before the backs came on and did any good. Not so noticeable on dry pavement.

I hope this helps some. Robert

 

You got it right it was me you e-mailed, it was in my signature. Are you back home in Canada now or still travelin in the lower 48 provinces

 

Thats kinda what I figured but I didn't know if it was related to the fact that you hauled alot of weight in the rear (camper shell). I would be worried about too much braking in the rear after the swap but I guess it works well. I'l keep it in mind when I need to do rear brakes which won't be for a long time I hope.<br><br>John<br><br>

 

Anyone know the TSB number for that wheel cylinder upgrade? I'm interested in doing that. <br>When I put new brake on my 2500 a few months ago I thought about ceramic but could not find them. The NAPA guys at my local store did not know about them. I ended up putting Performance Friction high performance pads from Autozone on miy truck. The stopping power is MUCH better than it was and even after a month there was little noticable brake dust on the wheels. The old pads would dust the wheels after one rapid stop. I bought the truck used with 47K on it so I do not know if the pads were OEM or aftermarket. I could not tell a brand on them.<br><br>Chris

 

Hi Jrr.

Still in the US. Left Canada in July, went to North Eastern Pa for a month then pull the 5er down to Edmonton Ky for three months and while their took a side trip to Louisiana for a week. Returned to Ky via the Gulf over to Alabama then on up to Ky. While there I made a side trip up to Indianapolis to go to the Formula one race and also went over to Black Mountain Diesel to have Tom do his repair on my KDP, so that's all taken care of. And just two weeks ago left Ky to come back up to Milford Pa, and we should be here until around the 20th of Jan. Plans are to go up to Minneapolis and stay there until May, Then from their back to Red Deer, Alberta......[Home.]

So! what's up with you Jrr? And what part of the world do you live in?