I am running 38s on my rig and lately I have been following idiots and had to use my brakes real hard and they are fading out. Is there any solution to this?

Thanks

 

Slow down and back off??? Try going to your local auto parts store and see if there is someone who is knowledgeable enough to advise you as to what might be your best option for fade resistant pads and shoes.
Tom

 

I wish I could slow down and back off but people dont understand that it takes me longer to stop and decide to cut infront of me, its going to be a suprise when my bumper goes through someones back window I just wasn't sure if these trucks had problems. I will check on the pads.

 

Your '95 has vacuum assisted brakes, you could have a leak. Most common place for a leak is at the cruise control actuator under the driver's side battery.

 

I am almost positive there is no leak , but I will double check , I didn't even think of that possibility .

Thanks

 

Do you have any kind of brake upgrades? A couple of people I know switched to slotted & cross drilled rotors and ceramic brake pads. They said it was a night and day difference, a lot more stopping power. Correct me if I am wrong, but brake fade is because the brakes are getting so hot, and with those 38's, you're creating plenty of heat! The new rotors will run a lot cooler. In the rear, you can swap in new cylinders, they are from an older Chevy truck, but they will put a lot more power to the back brakes. Do a search for the part # on them. If the funds are available, you could get a rear disc kit from Stainless steel brakes corp. that should help you slow down!

 

Be sure your rear brakes are adjusted too.....some times the self adjusters dont work

 

No brake upgrades, kinda out of the question right now because they are usually pretty expensive. I would like to check into the crossdrilled rotors though. Any more info on those? I'll check my adjusters too.

Thanks

 

You can get a set of slotted rotors on ebay for 160 bucks. Ceramic pads will be another 50 bucks. I am hopefully going to start working at an auto parts store (Bumper to Bumper) in the next week or so, so I am going to do a full brake job then. I figure I should get out of there with top-notch rotors and pads for 110-120 bucks.

 

Hey Matt, You gonna give us discounts???

 

i would stay away from the drilled rotors and just use the slotted ones. now the pads are a whole nother story have done quite alot of experimenting with different brake stuff including SSBC and EGR Brakes. I like the EGR stuff but that doesnt mean you cant shop around and get a better price on similar stuff. Oh by the way brake fade is cause by your brake fluid boiling in the calipers. When it boils it turns to gas which can be compressed liquids can not. If your fluid has been in there for a while just a flush and refill may help as brake fluid absorbes moisture over time its boiling point drops. so it will fade easier. any other questions send me a PM or E-Mail. dont want to bash anyones pads on here.

Dan

 

You are right Dan, I never thought about the fluid boiling issue. I would strongly recommend you flush the brake system to get new fluid in there.
Tom

 

I guess a little brake bleed will be first on the list.

Thanks for the replies!

 

Excellent point, Dan! Go to Geno's Garage and get a couple of bottles of their new DOT 5.1 It has a higher boiling point, and better fluid characteristics. It costs 20 bucks to replace with the new stuff. It also mixes fine with DOT 3 and DOT 4.