rob_rrt

I was wondering if anyone knows GM`s reasoning for returning to drum brakes on the rear of the new style Silverado`s?

Old Coot

My dealer told me they have less trouble with the drums. Although I kind of think it might be less exspenive to do the drums. Also if you order the Max trailer pkg (NHT) or the 6.0 engine (L76) with Stabilitrak (JL4) you get the disc brakes on the rear axle.

NHSilverado

As said above = less problems but mainly less$$$ to produce.

hunt4game29

The 05 went to the drum brakes also.

ZX1100F1

The primary reason has to do with balancing the braking system on the light duty 1500 series trucks with tow ratings of less then 8,800lbs.
Customers that owned previous GMT800 model 1500 series trucks with the rear disks complained that the brake system was too touchy.


GM's modern braking systems include Dynamic Rear Brake Proportioning (DRP), this system constantly monitors braking conditions and actively adjusts the amount of pressure sent to the rear wheels based on loads and impending rear wheel lock-up, DRP sends the maximum amount of pressure to the rear brakes as possible rather then the standard 80% front 20% rear split of the older brakes systems, while the DRP and rear disks worked well for stopping a loaded truck it was overly sensitive on unloaded trucks which was 99% of the time for the average ½-ton truck.


Most owners of 1500 series pick-up’s use the vehicle as a primary mode of transportation for commuting and running errands, the trucks are typically only occasionally used for towing trailers or hauling loads so with this in mind GM engineers decided that rear drum brakes were the best solution and provided an acceptable level of performance while at the same time providing a well balanced braking system that operated as it should.
The current 1500 Silverado truck stops in a shorter distance than it’s 4-wheel disk predecessor.
Some other factors are that drum brakes are lighter and slightly less expensive.

hntfshak

ZX1100F1, are you really a human or some kind of Orsen Wells dream come to reality?
ha ha ha ha good stuff, thanks.

pcgeary1973

Is it possible to convert the rear drum brakes to disc? With the end of model year event, there was limited supply of z71 ext cabs. The new truck has everything I want with the exception of all around disc. Can anyone provide some helpful feedback?