Factory Brake Upgrade: From 6 Pistons to 12
May 6, 2022 | 08:57 AM
#12
Thread Starter
'12 AWD Platinum Escalade
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 102
Likes: 39
From: Northern Alabama
Yeah, I wanted more rear brake bias; which is why I'm upgrading the rear first. I'm planning on the 2019+ 4 piston caliper upgrade for the front, but like shakenfake said, I'm not sure my wheels will clear them.
If the rear upgrade turns out to add enough stopping power (for my liking), I may call that good enough.
So far, I've spent about $400 on the rear brakes (including the backing plates). That's about $200 more than just replacing the rotors and pads with GM parts. It was a bit more than I wanted to spend, but not too bad. We'll see if it was worth all of the extra effort in a bout a week or so.
If the rear upgrade turns out to add enough stopping power (for my liking), I may call that good enough.
So far, I've spent about $400 on the rear brakes (including the backing plates). That's about $200 more than just replacing the rotors and pads with GM parts. It was a bit more than I wanted to spend, but not too bad. We'll see if it was worth all of the extra effort in a bout a week or so.
May 15, 2022 | 04:09 PM
#13
Thread Starter
'12 AWD Platinum Escalade
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 102
Likes: 39
From: Northern Alabama
No pictures today, but I got the '06 Suburban rear brakes on. I only had time for a short drive, but here is what I think so far:
1) The brake bias feels much better. I was worried it might be too much rear brake, since I have not yet gone to the 2019+ 4 piston fronts. It feels like the whole truck squats now, instead of nose dives... could be my imagination, since that is what I want. I was able to do some hard braking both straight and with a slight curve. The rear end did not feel like it wanted to drift out and I did not engage the traction nor stability control. So, I'm very happy with that!
2) I've already upgraded to hydroboost with the GMT900 2500 master cylinder, which, I believe, is bigger than the 1500 master cylinder. With the new 2 piston calipers on the rear, I noticed that there is more brake pedal travel to achieve the same amount of stopping power. More travel will allow me to modulate better, but I'm concerned that if I upgrade the fronts with more pistons that there will be even more brake travel to achieve the same amount of stopping power. Yes, I bled the brakes well; as I have done at least 4 to 5 times before on this and other vehicles.
3) I didn't feel the brake pulsation that I had before. I assumed the front rotors were warped, but I guess it could have been the rear rotors. The '06 Suburban rear rotors are significantly thicker, so maybe they won't warp.
I'll drive for another week or two and report back on daily driving and such. Maybe I'll have pictures next time.
1) The brake bias feels much better. I was worried it might be too much rear brake, since I have not yet gone to the 2019+ 4 piston fronts. It feels like the whole truck squats now, instead of nose dives... could be my imagination, since that is what I want. I was able to do some hard braking both straight and with a slight curve. The rear end did not feel like it wanted to drift out and I did not engage the traction nor stability control. So, I'm very happy with that!
2) I've already upgraded to hydroboost with the GMT900 2500 master cylinder, which, I believe, is bigger than the 1500 master cylinder. With the new 2 piston calipers on the rear, I noticed that there is more brake pedal travel to achieve the same amount of stopping power. More travel will allow me to modulate better, but I'm concerned that if I upgrade the fronts with more pistons that there will be even more brake travel to achieve the same amount of stopping power. Yes, I bled the brakes well; as I have done at least 4 to 5 times before on this and other vehicles.
3) I didn't feel the brake pulsation that I had before. I assumed the front rotors were warped, but I guess it could have been the rear rotors. The '06 Suburban rear rotors are significantly thicker, so maybe they won't warp.
I'll drive for another week or two and report back on daily driving and such. Maybe I'll have pictures next time.
May 24, 2022 | 08:03 PM
#15
Thread Starter
'12 AWD Platinum Escalade
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 102
Likes: 39
From: Northern Alabama
Reporting back at just over a week of normal driving with both the hydroboost and the dual piston rear calipers...
Pros:
1) Less force is needed to achieve the same stopping power. Yes, hydroboost helped with this, but the larger piston volume and larger brake pads in the rear helped a lot! I feel like anyone (wife / kids) could easily stop the truck.
2) No more pulsating brakes. I thought the front rotors were the issue, but I have not noticed any more pulsation since replacing the rear rotors. These rotors are also a lot thicker as well (30mm instead of just 20mm).
3) Better heat dissipation. I haven't pulled a heavy trailer yet or tested fade resistance, but the extra 10mm thickness is mostly in the cooling vanes for the rotors.
4) Improved (to me) brake balance. Brake balance is shifted rearward about 9 to 10%. From about 65% front bias to around 56% front bias. I'm not sure what the front caliper piston size is, so those numbers are an estimate.
Cons:
1) More pedal travel to achieve the same stopping power. I got used to the short distance of just the hydroboost, and really enjoyed it!!! That's me personally, with a race car background though. Overall with both hydroboost (with larger master cylinder) and the dual piston rear calipers, the pedal travel distance is probably about the same as with the factory brakes and vacuum booster (with smaller master cylinder).
2) Replacing the backing plates is a big pain. You have to pull the rear axles and the parking brake shoes. Also, an extra expense ($30 for the backing plates and $45 for the fluid and gasket).
If you want to cheap out (or are crunched for time), you can take a grinder to the factory backing plates and everything will fit fine then.
Was it worth it? I miss the shorter pedal travel of the hydroboost without dual piston rears, but stopping is effortless and smooth. I may research if the 2019+ trucks have a larger master cylinder that fits, but again, the travel distance is about the same or maybe a bit smaller than factory brakes with the vacuum booster. If you pull a trailer or go down steep grades, you should consider this upgrade along with hydroboost.
If I find time, I'll do a short write-up on this with pictures and calculations and such. If I find a larger master cylinder, I may still do the front 2019+ four piston calipers, but I'm happy with this setup.
Pros:
1) Less force is needed to achieve the same stopping power. Yes, hydroboost helped with this, but the larger piston volume and larger brake pads in the rear helped a lot! I feel like anyone (wife / kids) could easily stop the truck.
2) No more pulsating brakes. I thought the front rotors were the issue, but I have not noticed any more pulsation since replacing the rear rotors. These rotors are also a lot thicker as well (30mm instead of just 20mm).
3) Better heat dissipation. I haven't pulled a heavy trailer yet or tested fade resistance, but the extra 10mm thickness is mostly in the cooling vanes for the rotors.
4) Improved (to me) brake balance. Brake balance is shifted rearward about 9 to 10%. From about 65% front bias to around 56% front bias. I'm not sure what the front caliper piston size is, so those numbers are an estimate.
Cons:
1) More pedal travel to achieve the same stopping power. I got used to the short distance of just the hydroboost, and really enjoyed it!!! That's me personally, with a race car background though. Overall with both hydroboost (with larger master cylinder) and the dual piston rear calipers, the pedal travel distance is probably about the same as with the factory brakes and vacuum booster (with smaller master cylinder).
2) Replacing the backing plates is a big pain. You have to pull the rear axles and the parking brake shoes. Also, an extra expense ($30 for the backing plates and $45 for the fluid and gasket).
If you want to cheap out (or are crunched for time), you can take a grinder to the factory backing plates and everything will fit fine then.
Was it worth it? I miss the shorter pedal travel of the hydroboost without dual piston rears, but stopping is effortless and smooth. I may research if the 2019+ trucks have a larger master cylinder that fits, but again, the travel distance is about the same or maybe a bit smaller than factory brakes with the vacuum booster. If you pull a trailer or go down steep grades, you should consider this upgrade along with hydroboost.
If I find time, I'll do a short write-up on this with pictures and calculations and such. If I find a larger master cylinder, I may still do the front 2019+ four piston calipers, but I'm happy with this setup.
Last edited by wardlws; Aug 4, 2023 at 10:03 PM.
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