Suburban brakes

[MauleM5-235]

I have a 99 Chevy Suburban 2500 that has been in the family since new. It needs new front brakes. I have always thought the brakes on it were marginal at best. I have been told it is possible to install larger front brakes. Before I start my internet research I thought I would check to see if the Pelican brain trust has any info on the subject. Any ideas/info/suggestions?

Thanks

[Nostril Cheese]

How many miles are on it? 8 lug wheels?

Is it possible that the brakes just may need some work? (new fluid, brake lines, etc..)

I had a 2500 from the same era with the diesel. The brakes on it were great. Even with a fully loaded utility bed.

[Rick V]

Make sure the rear brakes are properly set, clean, and fully functional and the fluid is clean. The front caliper slides and such should be clean, lubed and free. You can also replace everything and just upgrade the pads and shoes with a better quality, such as Hawk, EBC, etc. They make an entire line of whoa stuff that will drop right into the factory calipers and work with standard roters.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

How many miles are on it? 8 lug wheels?

Is it possible that the brakes just may need some work? (new fluid, brake lines, etc..)

I had a 2500 from the same era with the diesel. The brakes on it were great. Even with a fully loaded utility bed.

Ditto, had a gasser 2500 and with drums in the back stopped like a beast.

I have heard anout serious line rot on these tho, my truck wasnt affected but a family member has been through 2 sets of lines on his '02 Burb w 89k

[LWJ]

Same. 3/4 ton 91 Suburban. Great brakes.

[CHICKS]

The biasing in the Chevy trucks favors the rear so you don't get that jerky stopping (like Toyotas). This is also why you'll go through 2-3 sets of pads in the rear before touching the front. It's a comfort thing.

[David]

As a hard braker in any vehicle I drive I thought about disk upgrades on my last 2 Chevy trucks but I don't think the cost is worth it for the street. I did do some brake pad testing and found the Porterfield R4S to be superior to all others.

[asphaltgambler]

Originally Posted by Rick V

Make sure the rear brakes are properly set, clean, and fully functional and the fluid is clean. The front caliper slides and such should be clean, lubed and free. You can also replace everything and just upgrade the pads and shoes with a better quality, such as Hawk, EBC, etc. They make an entire line of whoa stuff that will drop right into the factory calipers and work with standard roters.

Rick is right on the money with this. You need to view the brake system as a whole unit that works together, including the booster.

[Radioactive]

In my experience nothing beats the factory pads & shoes on a Chevy truck.
I think its the only vehicle that the factory pads & shoes stop better, last longer and have the lowest brake dust..... I gladly pay the premium for the factory pads.

[fast_e_man]

I went with "severe duty" pads when I had my 96 burb, and that made a noticable improvement. FWIW: The brakes on my 01 burb are big improvement over the earlier chevy truck vintage.

[KaptKaos]

Just did the pads on my '97 2500 this past weekend. Those are some beefy brakes!