Just upgraded to the larger GM cylinders. Also removed the proportioning valve because of the lift kit just being installed. What a difference. I actually can feel the ABS working for the first time. This truck stops more like a sports car now.

 

Cool, I need to try this myself the next time the brake shoes are ready for replacement

 

Mine was a huge improvement also!!

 

For those who don't know- replace the rear cylinders with Napa #4637337
About $12 each. Works on any model up till rear discs came out. Only thing you'll need besides the cylinders is some brake fluid.
I guarantee you'll like the improved stopping difference.

 

I had a minor problem with this upgrade that I am still fighting, maybe you can help. I also put on new brake shoes while I did this.

Ever since I put them on the right rear wheel grabs really hard, shakes sometimes, and even locks up sometimes. It looks to me like the brake shoes are actually about 1/8" wider than the ones that I took off. This means that the new shoes ride on that raised lip of rust and corrosion on the inside of the drum. Do you think it would be OK to take a grinder to the brake shoes and bevel the edge off of them?

 

I have often wondered about doing this but thought, hey mine stops fine.
That is until, on the way home tonight an old lady stopped dead in front of me and I had to use all I had, the back did NOTHING the fronts saved me. I think I am going to Napa in the morning.......Man thats some scary stuff when you miss a bumper by only a couple of inches. I'm just glad for a wide shoulder of I would have gotten her.

Jason

 

Its them split second reflexes that have saved me many times when trying to stop my truck. Most people would just put their pedal through the firewall and hope for the best. Reflexes as simple as steering around the person in front of you when you cant stop in time saves lives. Good job Jason.

 

Could I use these on a 1991 w250?????


The brakes plain do not work in a emergency....many a time the shoulder has saved my life.

Thanks

 

I'm pretty sure they will work. Give it a try, it only costs about $25.

Sure beats taking the ditch!

 

Not sure about grinding, but it sounds like you might have gotten a set of 1 ton brake shoes. Maybe you could get the drum turned to remove the lip?

 

But yall have to make sure when yall change out the cylinders yall have to bleed the truck out...If not you will have air pockets and the your brakes wont be worth a crap.

 

Do they have to be chevy cylinders or will the 3500 dodge cylinders work as well?

Thanks

 

Chevy cylinder are bigger

 

Unfortunetly sometimes the U.S Napa part numbers don't always jive with their Canadian counterparts.Should I ask for 2500,3500,or bigger sieres truck cylinder? Also does the model year have any bearing on the part to ask for?

Thanks

 

Tell them you want cylinders for a 1 ton Chevy.
I've given the number to other Canadians, they've had no problem.