Truck Breaks
03-22-2007 | 06:29 PM
#11
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Hopkinsville, Ky
Ask them to prove the need with facts. How worn down are your pads vs. new? If you don't feel a vibration when using the brakes, why do they want to grind material off the rotor? (some thinks that makes new pads stop better, some don't. But all agree it adds to the shop's profit). The biggest "red flag" I see here is if they also say the rear brakes need replacing. They usually last through two sets of front pads. If the shop can't provide factual data to justify an entire brake job and rotor turning when you don't feel any vibrations, I'm betting they are trying to make money off of you.
BTW: I've driven a PSD Excursion as my daily driver for 5 years, and do the brake jobs personally in the driveway. I know how simple it is, and am shocked by how some shops take advantage of some customers.
BTW#2: The best thing to prevent rotor warpage in the future is to torque the lug nuts down to 170ftlbs. If your shop does not know to do that, then they are not trying very hard to decrease your needing future repairs.
BTW: I've driven a PSD Excursion as my daily driver for 5 years, and do the brake jobs personally in the driveway. I know how simple it is, and am shocked by how some shops take advantage of some customers.
BTW#2: The best thing to prevent rotor warpage in the future is to torque the lug nuts down to 170ftlbs. If your shop does not know to do that, then they are not trying very hard to decrease your needing future repairs.
03-22-2007 | 07:08 PM
#13
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,333
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From: Indy, St. Louis, LOTO
Just reread your first post, and No, surge breaks on the trailer should not cause the truck brakes to wear faster. That's assuming a couple of things though, like the trailer brakes are in proper working order, and they are sized correctly for the trailer load.
Surge brakes are a clean and simple way to stop a trailer, and when serviced and adjusted properly, they work great. You'll hardly know the trailer is there during normal brakeing. The problems occure when they are neglected and don't work as intended. In those cases Yes, the truck brakes can get a hard workout.
Most surge brakes are free-backing DRUM brakes, and therefore do not auto adjust the shoe towards the drum. So as the shoe weats down, the gap between it and the drum increases, reducing overall braking ability. You might want the trailer repair shop to adjust your brake shoes once a season or so depending upon how you use the trailer. Disc brakes don't have this worry, and are better all around, but usually only found on new higher dollar trailers.
Next, the surge coupler itself need to be serviced to ensure a smooth sliding during braking. The trailer repair shop can check that out at the same time. From there, you should be good to go.
One last thing, when drum brake shoes wear out, it is cost effictive to replace the whole backing plate instead of just the shoe. But you might want to price a disk convertion at that time instead. They really do stop that much better.
Surge brakes are a clean and simple way to stop a trailer, and when serviced and adjusted properly, they work great. You'll hardly know the trailer is there during normal brakeing. The problems occure when they are neglected and don't work as intended. In those cases Yes, the truck brakes can get a hard workout.
Most surge brakes are free-backing DRUM brakes, and therefore do not auto adjust the shoe towards the drum. So as the shoe weats down, the gap between it and the drum increases, reducing overall braking ability. You might want the trailer repair shop to adjust your brake shoes once a season or so depending upon how you use the trailer. Disc brakes don't have this worry, and are better all around, but usually only found on new higher dollar trailers.
Next, the surge coupler itself need to be serviced to ensure a smooth sliding during braking. The trailer repair shop can check that out at the same time. From there, you should be good to go.
One last thing, when drum brake shoes wear out, it is cost effictive to replace the whole backing plate instead of just the shoe. But you might want to price a disk convertion at that time instead. They really do stop that much better.
03-23-2007 | 07:42 AM
#15
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From: oceanport nj
Powerslot rotors I put on my expy are crap. Warped in no time , normal driving. Also used the ebc green pads , like the low dust compared to the ford pads but they must be killing the rotors. I think I'll try hawk pads or just go back to stock.
03-23-2007 | 10:52 PM
#17
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From: newbugh ny
get drilled or slotted rotors. you will pay for them but will last much longer. lets the brakes breath more and lets out more heat. it is worth the investment. brakes are not something to cheap on. i replaced mine on my dodge ram and im very happy with the money i spent.
03-24-2007 | 05:33 PM
#18
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 404
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From: Grasonville Md
drilled and slotted rotors arent the ticket it only removes material that
can be used for clamping pressure. they also promote hairline and
spider cracks. i road race and see extreme brake rotor temps. if you
would like your rotors to last longer cyrogenics has been a help to
rotor longevity.
can be used for clamping pressure. they also promote hairline and
spider cracks. i road race and see extreme brake rotor temps. if you
would like your rotors to last longer cyrogenics has been a help to
rotor longevity.
