1st problem i ran into was trying to get the disc breaks off. the rotors were grasped by the parking break. but the break wasn't even engaged. i accidently broke off a small pin/bracket that holds the parking brake pad in place. would it be alright to remove the entire parking brake pad and never reinstall it?

2nd problem is trying to get those damn shims into place. doing to the 1st side is easy, but i can't get the shims into the other side. i kept taking shims out of the adjustable shim kit and there are none left, and i still can't get it in. so i gave up and called it a day. looks like i will be replacing my rotor too. they have 56,000 miles on them and are in rough shape. they are actually falling apart. outside break pad in worn down pretty good, inside one still has a lot left.

any advice would be helpful before i

 

Hopefully you marked the caps to know which side they go on. You should have first put it together with the spacers that came out of it, and made sure they went back in the side they came out of.When i did mine i didnt have to change any spacing .The guy and Randys said about 1 out 6 had to be slightly adjusted. Sounds like you really dont know what you are doing ,you should seek pro help before you do anymore damage.

 

Sounds like one of my projects gone wrong ... Tomorrow I would pull it all out .. start with what the factory one came out with and try that. Sometimes the best solution to a problem is taking a break. Just getting up and walking around the truck to clear the frustration.

 

I second what has already been said. I installed mine with the factory shims that were in it already. As to getting that sucker in... you cant put one side in then try to get the other. Hold it all together the best you can and try to slide it all in at once. It will not slide all the way in though. That is when you can lightly tap the shims in place then the caps will snug everything in nicely.

As for the e-brake. I shered the head off one of my retaining clip bolts so I ran with out that one side for about a month before I could pull my axle to get it out with no problems.

 

i'll try the factory shims. i think my shims (adjustable) were too thick. i tried putting the left side in first. that was no problem. i put the left bearing cap on loosely. then i put the right side in with the cup/race, everything was in straight. it is just trying to get that right side shim in that was a bitch. the bearing cup/race would stay straight. got the shim about 80% of the way in, i didn't want to hit it too hard with a hammer. i think the solution will be using the factory shims. it is a whole new day tomorrow. i should be nice and rested. got a little too frustrated today.everything else went smoothly. thanks for all your help. keep the suggestions coming.