Just rolled in.... for a complete brake line replacement after a blowout.
Posted Jan 1, 2018, 4:13 AM UTC
5926
Truck is a 99 gmc 1500 4x4. 160k miles. Got it from the original owner for cheap with brand new bfg ko2 rubber.
Just put new front calipers, pads and rotors on it. While I have it in the shop it’s getting:
-Obviously all new hard lines and soft lines.
- rear pads and rotors
- power steering cooler
- passenger side window regulator
- shocks
And if I have time, some body rust repair on the cab.
10
I had that same truck and loved it -
Nice call taking the box off. makes life way easier.
3
Easiest bed removal I’ve ever done! Had it ready to lift off in 10 minutes. What a time saver!
2
I had the same truck, but mine was an ‘04. I loved it but it kept breaking. Hopefully you’ll have better luck than I did.
1
Truck is for my sister, I loathe this generation but she is a die hard Chevy fan, and except for a few issues this truck is super clean.
5
Been there, done that. Not a fun job, especially when you dont have a lift.
5
Im currently debating pulling the cab mount or not...
3
I did when I did mine, that damn abs pump is a pita to work with
3
What in the middle of the frame rail under the truck? It's so fun!
Makes you hate blazer owners who had them under the hood.
1
I just wish I still had my 68 k10, no abs to be found :)
2
I have a '00 S10. Abs pump went out the day before leaving for a 9500 mile road trip.
Broke one of the screws holding it in.
Need to go get a new set of screws still but that new pump kicks like a bastard.
2
Shouldn't need to. They all go in pretty easy with the box off.
1
pull the cab or youll have to bend up your pre formed lines to get them to fit.
1
The kit I got had the front passenger line in a few pieces made install a breeze.
Long sections were fed in through the engine bay, didn’t have to fight those much at all. The bends at the abs pump were a bit off so that was fun.
1
The best and easiest line to use is the copper core stuff. Easy to flare easy to bend looks pro and last way longer also. When I do this type of bullshit job I go a head and put in all new plastic fuel line like the Germans do on most of thier stuff. No sure if that Chev is steel or plastic. At least you got a garage to work in.
5
GM used a poor alloy for the '99-06 year brake lines for their 1500 and 2500 (maybe 3500 too, not sure, don't own one), AC Delco and others make complete pre-bent kits for dirt cheap for all models/configurations (including Tahoe/Suburban) within that range.
If you're buying within that age range, look at the brake lines at the master cylinder, you want to see black PVC coated lines, those are the ACDelco set, or stainless, if you see bare steel, plan on having to replace all the hard lines due to corrosion.
5
It wasn't just the 1500 and 2500, they completely cheaped out on a lot of the brake lines for cars they were making at that time. Aleros and Malibus from that era are pretty much guaranteed to need new hardlines around 125k if they've ever seen salt or even had mud caked on the hardline clips.
1
Ive always wondered why copper line isnt used more, other than for cost.
1
This is what I got for my first truck. Exact color and everything. 143k miles currently , I even have the wind deflector on it... did you steal my truck?
1
Protip: Never make brake lines for these trucks, order them from the dealer by VIN. They come as a complete set (except for the line on the axle), all pre-bent like factory, all coated, flared with fittings ready to install, all for like $120. The dealer in my town stocks them. You can also sometimes get the kits on Amazon for way cheaper, but you want to be 100% sure you have the right part number for your truck config.
Yeah I got a pre bent kit. Kit came with all the hard lines except the rear axle, I’ll make those two.
Cool, good luck with the project. I usually charge out 5 hours for a complete hard line replacement on 1500s.
You don't even have to make the axle two, they're available from other vendors if you look around. Or the Dorman kit includes them as a "7 piece kit" vs the "5 piece kit" not including them.
I've heard great things about that Dorman kit.
really? I got lines for one of these ones, from "Finelines" company, and it took me just as long as if I made them all myself with the copper nickel stuff. Maybe I should look into a different brand? Do the dealer ones come stainless or coated or anything?
No shit? Gosh darn I didn't even look when I did one a few years ago. Just used nicopp. It's good stuff but steel woulda been fine because the truck wasn't going to live another ten years anyway.