Just wanted all owners of the 05' & Up SS owners that would like to get rid of their horrid rear drum brakes, your all in luck!
Some might know this and some might not, but here is your fix for those who don't know.
Baer Brakes makes a complete conversion kit to change your rear drums over to discs.
The kit comes with 2-14" GT type rotors (cross drilled & slotted), 2-Baer dual piston calipers, 2-caliper brackets, pad set, 2-parking brake assemblies, and all necessary hardware to complete the install.
The complete kit part# 4302081
Retail price is $1395, but I've heard of some getting them for $1000.
Hope this is usefull to some of you guys!

Jim

Well, that's ccol, but I thought the drums brake setup actually might work better, I don't have them, but maybe some one who has had both can let us know.

The brakes on my 2000 and now 2004 suck, poor power, high pedal effort and rear rotors cavitate after sliders seize up and then em brake kit comes apart when you need to take rear rotors off. The brakes on my old 97 would put you thru the windsheild with half the effort it takes to stop my 2004. I owe a brake shop and have seen the same deal over and over. Good money in this stuff...
Might be different in southern climates but not here in the snow/salt belt.
Baer's gotta be better, and they of course look better ,but for 1k, they gotta work alot better too.
Who has had both rear drum and rear disc, and which works better.

Dave

Who has had both rear drum and rear disc, and which works better.

Dave

Me.
2004 Tahoe with 4 wheel discs
2004 Tahoe with 4 Baer rotors/calipers
2006 Silverado CCSB with F discs; R drums

I agree with everything you said about the soft pedal feel of the stock system on that Hoe. The Baer Alumasport kit made my 5600lb SUV (with a blower and dubs) brake as well as my 2001 WS6 T/A did! I do feel that the new Silverado has superior braking compared to the stock Tahoe of '04. I've chalked it up to it maybe having larger front discs (dunno in fact) or maybe oversized front calipers as part of the VMax pkg. Whatever the case, undoubtedly the '06 Rado brakes are superior to the stock '04 discs of the Tahoe. The other thing I have to admit that I like about my rear drums (the only thing) is that I can do killer brake stands anywhere, anytime. :devil:

Compared to the Baer kit, there's NO contest by either.

.02

I'm not 100% positive, but I believe GM has noticed this problem on the 99-04' Silverados. They did switch over to drums for a fix, but I have had a lot of problems with mine.
The brake booster and master cylinder I believe have been upgraded on the 05' & up models as well.
The dealership states they "may" have "fixed" my problem with my brakes.
They replaced my brake booster, turned my front rotors, and turned my rear drums. Not sure If they put new pads on all four corners, but they should have.
This is the 2nd set of drums on my truck with one turn on them. The original drums were turned three times. So I hope the replacement of the brake booster fixes the problem.
They finally figured out that there is constant pressure being applied during driving without the brake pedal being applied.
I hope this fixes the problem. If not, I will be beyond upset.
I will find out in the next week after I pick it up tomarrow.

Jim

Wow, sorry to hear your grief with the new vho, is that common or isolated, do you know? Hope they fixed it.
Is your truck 2 or 4wd. Did your previously have a 5.3?
If so how does the 6.0 compare
Does the Baer ket incorpoate the abs sensors as well? I suppose it would have to.
My SS should be here mid february, I can't wait.

Dave

Wow, sorry to hear your grief with the new vho, is that common or isolated, do you know? Hope they fixed it.
Is your truck 2 or 4wd. Did your previously have a 5.3?
If so how does the 6.0 compare
Does the Baer ket incorpoate the abs sensors as well? I suppose it would have to.
My SS should be here mid february, I can't wait.

Dave
Mine is a 2WD model. The LQ9 6.0L engine is far superior than a comparable 5.3L. Much quicker and stronger. Don't get me wrong, the 5.3L is a great engine as well. I did own a 2000 Silverado ECSB, 5.3L equipped.
I believe the drum brake issues that I've been having are isolated problems.
Not many others are having these problems as I am.
Just drove my truck home from the dealer. Did not really test them out yet. I don't want to get mad too soon. It will usually take a week for the problem to show its face again. So we'll see.
That's a good question about the Baer conversion kit. Not sure if it incorporates the ABS sensor or not. They did say the kit came with everything to convert it to make it work right.
Guess I need to send them an e-mail about that.
You'll love your new SS. Have you already ordered some aftermarket goodies?? :jest:
You will in due time if you haven't already. :drive:
Congrats on your future SS purchase. I bought my VHO last Feburary. Almost a year old. Damn....it's going to need a birthday! Guess a mod is due for its gift :) . Have to heads up my fiance about this! :jest:

Jim

Cool, I hope your brakes are fixed, sounds like something is lightly applying the brakes and getting them hot. I wonder if they checked the adjustment on the rod from the pedal to the booster.
Anyway i'm glad you like your truck, mine will be basically the same except for the bumper cover.
I'm gonna put dynatech, magnaflow, air intake on mine, a tune and maybe lower it 2", that's probably it.
14.86 sounds good.


dave

Thats strange. I have a 2004 GMC VHO and it came with disc brakes in the rear.

Thats strange. I have a 2004 GMC VHO and it came with disc brakes in the rear.

I also beleive your 2004 VHO also came with the lighter 10 bolt 8.6" rear, the 05 and ups come with tey 14 bolt 9.5" dif.

Your 2004 should be 1 of the fastest/quickest 2wd 6.0L trucks out there due to its low weight.

The little bit of extra weight over the rear tires due to the 14 bolt could help with traction though.

peace
Hog

I also beleive your 2004 VHO also came with the lighter 10 bolt 8.6" rear, the 05 and ups come with tey 14 bolt 9.5" dif.

Your 2004 should be 1 of the fastest/quickest 2wd 6.0L trucks out there due to its low weight.

The little bit of extra weight over the rear tires due to the 14 bolt could help with traction though.

peace
Hog

oh sweet, didnt know this..i also have a 2004 GMC VHO, but its loaded so i guess that weighs it down a bit

Thats strange. I have a 2004 GMC VHO and it came with disc brakes in the rear.
All 05' and up GM 1500 series trucks are currently being equipped with rear drum brake systems.

Jim

Cool, I hope your brakes are fixed, sounds like something is lightly applying the brakes and getting them hot. I wonder if they checked the adjustment on the rod from the pedal to the booster.
Anyway i'm glad you like your truck, mine will be basically the same except for the bumper cover.
I'm gonna put dynatech, magnaflow, air intake on mine, a tune and maybe lower it 2", that's probably it.
14.86 sounds good.


dave
My brake problem is still not corrected!!!!! :barf: :bang:
Have to take it back to them again!! :judge:
This just sucks! :bomb:

Jim

Man that blows, if the front and rear brakes are both overheating and warping and they already changed the booster, it's gotta be the master cylinder or the rod between the brake pedal and the booster, there is probably an adjustment on that rod.
I'll check at work tomorrow for tsb's, don't remember what's on it for distribution valve but i'll check that too.

Dave

All 05' and up GM 1500 series trucks are currently being equipped with rear drum brake systems.

Jim
GM also never made a disc brake setup for the 14 bolt 9.5" rear end that is now used in the 2wd SS and 2005 and 06 VHO B4V trucks and Vortec Max.

Even if the normal 1/2 tons still had discs for 05 and 06, the 2wd SS, VHO and Vortec Max trucks for 2005 and 2006 would still have drum brakes due to their heavier rear difs.
Conversly if the 2004 VHO B4V truck had a 14 bolt 9.5" dif. it would still have drum brakes, even though the rest of the 1/2 tons had discs.

Its rear axle dependant, not year dependant.

peace
Hog

GM also never made a disc brake setup for the 14 bolt 9.5" rear end that is now used in the 2wd SS and 2005 and 06 VHO B4V trucks and Vortec Max.

Even if the normal 1/2 tons still had discs for 05 and 06, the 2wd SS, VHO and Vortec Max trucks for 2005 and 2006 would still have drum brakes due to their heavier rear difs.
Conversly if the 2004 VHO B4V truck had a 14 bolt 9.5" dif. it would still have drum brakes, even though the rest of the 1/2 tons had discs.

Its rear axle dependant, not year dependant.

peace
Hog
Sorry man, I don't totally agree. Do you know one 05' & up 1500 series truck that has rear disc brakes??????
It's still year dependant. Tell me this? Why can't the 14 bolt 9.5" diff accept a disc brake set up?????

Jim

Sorry man, I don't totally agree. Do you know one 05' & up 1500 series truck that has rear disc brakes??????
It's still year dependant. Tell me this? Why can't the 14 bolt 9.5" diff accept a disc brake set up?????

Jim

Do you know of a pre 05 14 bolt truck that has disk brakes? Of course not because GM didnt offer the 14 bolt with disk brakes.

The 14 bolt can use disc brakes, if you install an aftermarket conversion, but from the factory GM never offered the 14 bolt with disc brakes, this is why GM used the 10 bolt in the 2004 VHO B4V "Texas truck". The 04 B4V VHO texas truck was a unique truck, it coupled a 6.0L engine with a 1/2 ton trans. and 1/2 ton rear dif, with 1/2 ton rear brakes.

In 2005 GM made the VHO available nation wide, and available in Canada, now the VHO cam with the 6.0 with the 4l65e trans and 14 bolt 3/4 ton rear with 3/4 ton brakes.
In 06it came with the 6.0 4l70e trans, 3/4 ton rear and 3/4 ton rear brakes.

The 14 bolt should now not be referred to as a 3/4 ton rear as it is now available in the TBSS, B4V VHO trucks and 2wd SS Silverados as well as 1/2 ton Vortec maxx Silverados.

I guess in a way we are both correct, if GM had used the 14 bolt in the 2004 VHO trucks it wouldnt have been a disc setup, just the same if GM had continued to use the 10 bolt in the 05 and up 2wd SS, VHO B4V, and Vortec Maxx it wouldnt have been a disc brake setup because GM stopped the rear disk brake program in 05.

I hope you get your brake problems fixed.

peace
hog

So you say I have the stronger brakes but weaker rear end. How about transmissions, dont I have the 4L65E.

Sorry, no TSB's on those brakes

what is TSB

technical service bulletin from GM

CHEVY...
Did they ever fix your brakes.

Dave

CHEVY...
Did they ever fix your brakes.

Dave
Hell no! The drum brake design is the problem! :bang:
Get this, I dropped off my truck at the dealership for them to fix the brakes again. I then receive a 2006 4dr short bed Silverado with a 5.3L for the rental.
Of course it has the same brake setup as mine.
So on my way to work (25mi from my house) I begin to feel the same damn problem my truck does about 3/4 of the way down there.
Basically it boils down to this, GM's "new" rear drum brakes bite the dust.
They used way too thin of metal on the drums. They warp after they heat up.
After they cool down, they are fine, but it's always the same daily routine of when they begin to pulsate.
I've also noticed that when your driving in the rain, they tend to warp faster. The cool water hitting the hot drums seems to progress the problem further.
My brakes work with little pedal effort. That's a good thing. Though in turn you will eventually get a pulsation. Very annoying!
Mine did not start this until my truck hit around 12,000mi. Why it keeps doing this even after the drums were replaced, is a mistery to me.
But I now know that my truck is not the only one doing this.
Just curious if others are noticing this same issue as I am. Or is everyone else really paying attention to this?
Well, I'm not pleased with GM's alternative braking solution. Larger disc brakes and stronger rear calipers is all they needed.
This will definately force me to buy Baer brakes rear disc conversion kit.
Guess that's where I stand at this point. NO SOLUTION! :barf:

Jim

how much are you using the brakes on your daily drive, is that stop and go traffic or highway, if you are not using the brakes they shouldn't be getting hot.

Dave.

im thinking the same thing, i do my share of braking and i dont have any problems with my drum brakes.

im thinking the same thing, i do my share of braking and i dont have any problems with my drum brakes.
I'm one of the lightest on the brakes. I avoid heavy traffic out of downtown by taken light highways home.
Either way, heavy on them or not, My previous 2000 Silverado ECSB 5.3L never had a problem from the same daily commute for all of its 4yrs that I owned it. Though it had better brakes on the rear. DISCS!!
I had all of the brake rotors & drums turned at the dealer one week before I took it back to them. They returned the rear drums stating there was already runout in each of them. They placed new pad & shoes all the way around as well. I mean, shouldn't that tell them something right there???
I'm sorry, but the rear drums blow!! Period. The rental truck I had, was showing right at 21,000mi on it. It has about the same miles as my truck and does the same thing.
It's not just my truck that is doing this.
Guess there is no fix for me. Glad some of you guys out there aren't experiencing this! You would know how I felt if you did.

Jim

well then i dont know what to say but mine are working fine, so i guess ill just have to wait and see.

well then i dont know what to say but mine are working fine, so i guess ill just have to wait and see.
How many miles are on your SS? What year is your truck?

Jim

Do you know of a pre 05 14 bolt truck that has disk brakes? Of course not because GM didnt offer the 14 bolt with disk brakes.

The 14 bolt can use disc brakes, if you install an aftermarket conversion, but from the factory GM never offered the 14 bolt with disc brakes, this is why GM used the 10 bolt in the 2004 VHO B4V "Texas truck". The 04 B4V VHO texas truck was a unique truck, it coupled a 6.0L engine with a 1/2 ton trans. and 1/2 ton rear dif, with 1/2 ton rear brakes.

In 2005 GM made the VHO available nation wide, and available in Canada, now the VHO cam with the 6.0 with the 4l65e trans and 14 bolt 3/4 ton rear with 3/4 ton brakes.
In 06it came with the 6.0 4l70e trans, 3/4 ton rear and 3/4 ton rear brakes.

peace
hog

Hate to dig up a old post but my 2004 VHO has a 4L65E tranny. This is not considered your normal 1/2 ton tranny. (4l60E). The VHO aka B4V retained the 4L65E in 2006. Only the Vortec MAX Crew Cab/4X4 Ext and TBSS got the 4L70E tranny.

Hell no! The drum brake design is the problem! :bang:
Get this, I dropped off my truck at the dealership for them to fix the brakes again. I then receive a 2006 4dr short bed Silverado with a 5.3L for the rental.
Of course it has the same brake setup as mine.
So on my way to work (25mi from my house) I begin to feel the same damn problem my truck does about 3/4 of the way down there.
Basically it boils down to this, GM's "new" rear drum brakes bite the dust.
They used way too thin of metal on the drums. They warp after they heat up.
After they cool down, they are fine, but it's always the same daily routine of when they begin to pulsate.
I've also noticed that when your driving in the rain, they tend to warp faster. The cool water hitting the hot drums seems to progress the problem further.
My brakes work with little pedal effort. That's a good thing. Though in turn you will eventually get a pulsation. Very annoying!
Mine did not start this until my truck hit around 12,000mi. Why it keeps doing this even after the drums were replaced, is a mistery to me.
But I now know that my truck is not the only one doing this.
Just curious if others are noticing this same issue as I am. Or is everyone else really paying attention to this?
Well, I'm not pleased with GM's alternative braking solution. Larger disc brakes and stronger rear calipers is all they needed.
This will definately force me to buy Baer brakes rear disc conversion kit.
Guess that's where I stand at this point. NO SOLUTION! :barf:

Jim

I have just over 9k on my VHO, and I notice the same pulsation during braking. It has become embarassing when I have a passenger and I see their head bouncing back and forth at every stop sign. I feel it in the pedal, seat of my pants, and see it in my morning coffee cup as as I try to avoid a spill. As I see it, this is a pretty big problem, but I work 7-12s on the road and have no time to take the truck in for service. So if anyone finds a sure fix for the issue, short of a $1000 disk upgrade, be sure and post your findings.

Sorry to dig up an old post but does anyone have any pics of this rear kit? I need to know what the calipers look like to make sure I can get some matching front ones.

Alot more folks are now experiencing the brake issues stated with the rear drums.
After hearing this I'm not sure I want to buy an 06 max cc, w/o planning on a rear disc upgrade?

I literally just hung up with Baer. Part number for the rear kit is 4302081. They sell it direct for $1395 of course... and they are 3 weeks out, or so they claim!

I spoke with one of their reps and asked him about the ABS and proportioning valves, etc and he said that this kit is designed to be a direct bolt on and it will still maintain the rear ABS...

I will be adding these to my 06 CC because I cannot stand the unsightly drums behind a 22" wheel...