Dave88LX

Getting a grinding coming out of my front right area when braking. I could have sworn I saw something on here about converting over to a better Chevy brake system for not much money. Anyone know what I'm talking about? I searched and went through 5 pages of brakes on here but didn't find it. If I'm just smoking something, I'll just search again on what I should get.

Thanks!
Dave

infidel

You can change your rear brake cylinders for the larger size (Napa #4637337) used on GMC one tons for about $13 each.
Increases rear stopping power about 25%.

Dave88LX

Thanks for the info. I guess the fronts just stay stock...search again I go.

Thanks again.

j-fox

Getting the rear brakes to help more really changes things. Not much need to change a lot more.

hotdram

After seeing your posts on changing oil and trying to get the hub nuts off, are you sure you want to be messing around with something as important as brakes??

Let me know when you road test, I would like to be there
~Rob

infidel

Don't you mean as far away as possible?

AggiePhil

I have rear drum brakes that are really sucking hard right now. Can y'all point me to some articles or posts that discuss how to do this conversion?

Hayseed

Are the NAPA numbers that were given for a 2500 Dodge or 3500?

88bird

no the napa number is for the chevy 1 ton.... it is different than the dodge wheel cyl but only by a few #'s..... if i rember correctly the bore on the chevy wheel cyl. is a bit larger..... i did mine about 5 months ago and have been loving it......

AggiePhil

88bird,

Can you give some detailed instructions for obtaining the proper part for whatever truck we might have, and then installing the part? I can't find any resources on doing this Chevy drum brake upgrade.

You said that the Chevy 1 ton part is made for a drum that's a bit bigger than ours. So...will it fit just fine anyway? Or are some modifications necessary? Thanks.

88bird

aggiephil napa # 4637337 is what u need...... what i meant was the bore on the wheel cyl is 1 3/16" in diameter...ours is 1 1/16" in bore diameter.... aprox 1/8" bigger in the area that applys braking force.... hence increasing braking force by up to 23% to the rear brakes and is a DIRECT bolt in to our trucks..... i have a 1996 3500 and had no problems at all..... if the guy at napa can't get you that part number without having to have a vehicle to associate it with tell him you have a 1997 chevy 3500 2wd and need the wheel cyl...... it is also recomended to do brake shoes at the time of change too ( just stock replacement for the dodge as mine were worn out at 135,000miles )...... it's perty simple but i would recomend a manual and if you have never done brakes before take it to a mechanic shop but take your own parts as not to get into a pissing match on what part fits what truck and the warranty thing...... if you are questioned by a mechanic on the size difference just ashure him that you bought them as a direct bolt in upgrade to the stock wheel cyls and they'll have no problems with them......also buying these (shoes and wheel cyl) at the same time listing off 2 different trucks will confuse the h#ll out of most parts guys.... it reminds me of my thunderbird turbocoupe i get rear brakes for the 88 turbo coupe, front brakes for a 99 mustang..... try asking them for an O2 sensor for your truck too while you are there..... they always tell me that it's a dealer only item..... just like cam bearings for an RX7....


Also the price online for napa is 11.49 each You need 2
it is 19.99 through advance auto parts..... i went with the napa because i have never has a brake part fail from them but they do have a nice warranty if they ever do....

infidel

I wouldn't routinely replace the rear shoes unless they are worn out.
They way they wear on these trucks since with the stock cylinders they hardly contribute to stopping at all they can probably go hundreds of thousand of miles.

Don't tell the auto parts guys what the #4637337 part is or what it's going on or you will confuse them. Just a part number is enough. You can even order online by clicking here
This number will cross over at any brand name autoparts store.

This simple direct replacement mod is described in more detail here-
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=43854

Search also gets many hits where someone probably offers a step by step
click here https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...searchid=66128