Chevy Silverado---The Brake Eater

[Mark]

Today, I replaced the rear brake components of my 2002 Chevy Silverado---for the second time in its 51,000 mile life.

In between those total replacements, I also had one minor pad replacement.

So besides getting a bit more poor , I thought I would do some internet research, hoping to ask all of you......but there was no need, after a few basic Google searches indicated that this is a "well known" issue....

I just needed to get some protection.......mud flaps:

http://www.alldatadiy.com/techtips/Chevy/20040308c.html

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/dir...w/.f0d4fe5/137

Thought I would pass this poor excuse on to y'all........apparently spending a few bucks on Yosemite Sam mud flaps could have saved me hundreds of dollars.

"That'l Learn You...."----Yosemite Sam
"When I say Whoaaa, I mean Whoaaaaa"----Yosemite Sam

[JohnB]

H'mm, I'm a beliver in mud flaps, but never for that reason....

SOC, learn something new every day!

Thanks for sharing.

John

[Mark]

I bet you were a fan of the "old fashioned" install too (.behind the wheel):

Mud flaps installed in front of each rear tire help to reduce
the amount of road debris and salt that gets thrown up into the caliper assemblies.
Because of the road crown and traffic, dirt and debris migrate to the right side of the
road. The right side of the vehicle receives more abuse and as a result the inboard
brake pad will sometimes wear at a faster rate. Vehicles used extensively on gravel
roads will experience accelerated friction wear.
Please refer to the GM Revised Corporate Bulletin regarding this matter. The bulletin
number is # 00-05-23-005B. The GM part number is 15765007. The part number
includes mud flaps for both sides of the vehicle.



http://www.carquest.com/common/downl...QB%2003-12.pdf

[henryj]

As a long time GM driver I've been aware of this problem for years, but have always dodged the bullet except for a 90 Grand Prix. It was almost impossible to find a picture of these things:
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/sho...light=15765007

It's more of a fender liner than a mudflap. I'm not convinced that the average driver needs these, but I would sure get them if I had a problem.

The 90 Grand Prix was the first mass produced GM with rear disks. If I remember right, there was no recall, but I got the first brake job on GM under the warranty. Of course that just fixed the brakes not the cause which was mostly corrosion due to salt spray. The fronts were never a problem, but wore faster because the rear never worked properly. The ultimate solution for me--and my happy mechanic--was an annual "brake service" on the rear brakes to clean up and lubricate the calipers and bolts. GM eventually went back to rear drums and then did the same on the 04 or 05 Silverado although the HDs always had rear disks.

I used my 01 Silverado as a daily (and only vehicle) driver and never had a problem with rear disks. That included lots of gravel miles on the Alaska and Dempster Hwys. As I understand it, the problems is small stones getting trapped between the rotor and the shield to the inside of the rotor. Grit can also get under the pads and of course salt creates all its own problems. But I've always had front mudflaps (rear also) and I think they would help quite a bit. Interesting thing is my 77 F150 had a similar fender liner on the front rear fender, but not with the flap hanging down. I believe the new 07 and up GMs also have more of fender liner to the front of the rear wheel.

Henry

[Bobo]

I have a 2003 Silverado 2WD. First set of rear breaks and rotors went @ 38,000 miles. The rotors had rusted out and tore the pads up. Replaced with all new parts and just now are ready to be replaced again at 94,000.

Funny thing is that I got 87,000 out of the front pads and rotors. Just the opposite of what break wear used to be.

Also have been experiencing a lot of selenoids and electrical parts starting to fail. $180.00 for a wiper switch is crazy. You can only get these parts by ordering through GM. Come on Lottery. I have my eyes set on a new F-150.

Bobo

[dkasten39828]

We have a 1999 2WD Silverado 2500 (not HD) with 4-wheel disks.
It has over 122K miles on it right now.

I have put over 60K miles on this truck since I bought it used.
I have yet to need to replace the brakes.

I've had them inspected every year but it's just now getting down to about 25% left on the pads. They seem to wear evenly front and rear.

I wonder what's different about my truck?

[henryj]

It's driven in GA not in PA, NY or ON where we can be driving in salt every single day for months.

Henry

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by Mark

I bet you were a fan of the "old fashioned" install too (.behind the wheel):

Mark

Ah yup. you where right. The front flap I missed that litte detail but thought about it after I posted before and thought, they can't be having rear slung dirt...

No it's front slung dirt....

Thanks again for posting.

John