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GMT800 to GMT900 Brake Upgrade w/pictures

Old thread, but I think theres a little I can add here. 


The Fronts:

The GMT900 brake upgrade not only came on some GMT800 Silverado and Sierras, (If they got good brakes in the front, they had drums in the rear.  If they had the disc brakes in the rear, they had the smaller brakes up front).  Also, there were two different versions of this brake upgrade. 

2005-2006 SILVERADO/SIERRA 1500 EXCLUDING: Hybrid, SS, HD, & rear disc; Had the larger 13" rotors.
    2007 SILVERADO/SIERRA 1500 Had the same 13" rotors but had the same earlier pad # as 05-06.

- YEARS --- PAD # ------ MODEL ----------------------------- YEARS ----- PAD # --

2005-2007 - D1092 - SILVERADO/SIERRA 1500 --------- 2008-2014+ - D1363
------ 2007 - D1092 - AVALANCHE 1500 ------------------ 2008-2013  - D1363
------ 2007 - D1092 - ESCALADE (EXCL EXT & ESV) ----- 2008-2015+ - D1363
------ 2007 - D1092 - ESCALADE (ONLY EXT & ESV) ----- 2008-2014  - D1363
------ 2007 - D1092 - SUBURBAN 1500 ------------------- 2008-2015+ - D1363
------ 2007 - D1092 - YUKON 1500 (INCL XL & HYBRID)- 2008-2015+ - D1363
------ 2007 - D1092 - TAHOE ------------------------------ 2008-2015+ - D1363
------------------- EXPRESS VAN 1500 ---------------------2009+ - D1363
------------------- SAVANA G1500 --------------------------2010+ - D1363
                   

The pads are almost completely identical in size and shape, but they attach differently to the caliper.  They both use the same rotor, but if you are possibly piecing together from different locations (such as ebay or a friend and trying to save a few bucks), you will need the caliper that goes with those years pads (/vice versa). 


As for PPV (police) brakes,  personally I wouldn't use them in my own vehicle.  Yes they should have higher temp seals, but that shouldn't matter unless you are street track racing your vehicle or doing excessive high speed hard brakes repeatedly to where they will heat up.  The biggest problem I have with PPV brakes is they are designed to be quiet, (so cops can roll in without screeching brakes on a bunch of vehicles).  I DON'T KNOW FOR CERTAIN, as I couldn't find a definitive answer, but I believe this means these pads don't have that metal tab that squeals to let you know your pads are low like all other pads do.  These are considered a fleet vehicle pad, so they are expecting them to be inspected quite frequently.  If someone who has them has gotten low enough to answer this,  sure would appreciate a answer as to either way.


The REAR BRAKES on the 1500 NBS/GMT800 are already the 13" rotor with a 2 piston caliper.  The GMT900 rear is a 13.6" IIRC rotor with a single piston caliper.  Its a larger rotor with a smaller pad and less clamping force.  I would consider this a downgrade to change the rears to GMT900.  The avalanche and later SUVs got this setup,  but the pickups did not.


(Back to the FRONTS:) If you absolutely had to for some reason,  the 12.8" NBS rotor will work with the 13.0" GMT900 calipers/brackets/pads.  There is a .4" difference in rotor thickness to allow for better venting.  This makes it a different hat size (how far off the mounting surface the caliper sits).  When its all installed IIRC the front side will be at the right distance and location, but the back/inside of the pad will be .4" farther away from where it would be with the correct parts.  The pads themselves have a material height of roughly .5" - .75" depending on the pad. I AM NOT RECOMMENDING THIS, I AM NOT SAYING THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD JUST DO, I'm just saying if FOR SOME REASON, your options were this or nothing, (maybe you got the wrong parts, or somewhere out on the road where you don't/can't wait), this SHOULD work temporarily to put the GMT900 pads/calipers on GMT800 rotors to keep you driving.


As mentioned earlier,  If you are going to use drilled rotors;  make sure they are holes that were cast into the rotors and not drilled in afterwards.  Drilled rotors seem to always be the "cool thing" for most, but drilled rotors are designed to let excessive heat and gasses escape to help keep the rotors cooler.  The key here is EXCESSIVE HEAT.  These are designed for what is mostly track use.  The closest real world comparable use for drilled rotors would be someone who punches it, SLAMS on the brakes, in stop and go traffic and loves to get it up to highway speeds then slam on the brakes, and does this multiple times a minute for a 10+ minute commute.  If you were to drive in such a way that you would NEED drilled rotors on public roads, you would most likely earn a ticket for reckless driving. If you are not psychotic, and just daily driving, know how to coast at all, then you won't NEED drilled rotors.  Drilled rotors have less surface area then blank rotors.  They will create less friction than a blank rotor.  If the rest of your braking system is up to it, then drilled rotors will take a slightly longer distance to make a single stop then blanks would.  If you are more concerned about a single stop then you should be using blank rotors.  The best analogy I have is: if you live out in the country, and your biggest concern is not high speed, agressive stop-and-go driving then you don't even want drilled rotors.  If your biggest concern is more of where a large animal like a deer running out in front of you, and going from 60+ to 0 that one time where an extra 5 or 10 feet means stopping or short or hitting a large animal, then you should definitely be using blank rotors. From what I've experienced, if you live out on the coasts, and drive aggressive rush hour traffic then you would want drilled or slotted rotors.  If you are somewhere in between then maybe slotted are best for you.  Slotted give you a happy medium, and are usually known to be less prone to cracking that can happen with drilled, or warping with blanks.


If you are wanting to upgrade your brakes,  and budget comes into the picture at all, then you probbaly want to do the GMT900 front upgrade.  After that you should be looking at hydroboost. They will give you a more firm pedal feel (because the lines are filled with fluid which won't compress like air in vacuum brakes).  If you are towing heavier loads, this should definitely be on your list.  I didn't search this site for a write up, but heres a good one.
https://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/gm-drivetrain-suspension-22/hydroboost-conversion-install-417445/


If the GMT900 brakes just won't do it for you, (and you can do at least a thousand for one set of brakes, your next upgrade options going towards big break kits are the SSBC tri piston calipers, or the "rudy's bracket" C6 corvette, Z06, 6 piston caliper upgrade (closer to $1500), and you will need 18" wheels for both of these options.
http://www.silveradoss.com/forums/topic/64830-z06-brake-conversion/
After that its a full 6 or 8 piston setup for $3K-$4K for just the front set.
 
Thanks for the input adriver and welcome to the club, Quite the write up on brake solutions.  (y)
 
Well My 10 year old calipers were shot, so I took the plunge and did this mod. Went with the EBC slotted and dimpled with rebuilt Tahoe Calipers and Duralast Gold lifetime ceramic pads. It is absolutely one on the best mods I've ever done, feels like a new truck.
(y)
Thank God my wife let me do this mod, she is the greatest. Love that gal. :love:
So it was 9 years ago when I did this upgrade mod. So yesterday I had to replace the left front hub. I then noticed the front pads were paper thin on the driver's side. No problem, went to Autozone and picked up a set of GC785's. Get back and begin the install;. Well that was until I forgot I can't reference a 2002 anymore to get the correct part. Had to go back to this thread to remember I used a 2007 Tahoe for part numbers. The pads were lifetime warranty , wonder what they will say when I bring back these 9 year old pads? ???
 
When doing this upgrade, I want to replace the rubber lines. Do I use my model year (04) for ordering parts, or do I use the 07/08 year?
 
I have still not done the SS lines. I will soon and so I will just order for my year 2002. Like BainMan siad, just reference whatever year your truck was made.
 
I have a 2000 Suburban 1500. Currently on 16" wheels but will move to 17" or 18" for this project.

1. My stock brakes are horrible - should I be able to lock them up on dry pavement? New pads/rotors/fluid front and rear.

2. Those of you that went from 16's to 17's or 18's, did you notice the weight increase of the wheel/tire combo much? I read that the 20" folks find it noticeable with all that additional weight and pushing it out from the center more.

3. Aside from the wheel change, is this all I need to accomplish this project?
 
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NO cannot lock up o dry as you have ABS which should prevent lockup

TO compare brakes drive somewhere safe @ 55mph and measure distance to stop.
All the auto sites and magazones test brakes this way so yo ucan compare stopping distance. Shorter is better
 
Yeah, by lock-up I mean get the ABS to kick-in. The only time I've been able to do that is in snow, so I know the ABS works.
 
I have 2002 who peeps consider the worse brakes of all the avys... but stops fine for me...

THing is 2002 has a SOFT PEDAL which people think means crappy brakes... but it does not.
I bet GM designed the pedal that way in burb since customers were becoming female and having a hard to press brake pedal may have scared them off? I dunno but per Motor trend 2001/2002 when AVY came out stopped in 155ft from 60mph,
Which was better then any pickup at the time... IS it sports car like no - but better then trucks and Burbs at the time.

Which we used to have the info... but not put back up during our moves...

Now maybe you have an ABS problem.. or just need new brakes...
But you have old vehicle and to spend that kinda money to make it stop maybe 20 feet less... well does not compute to me... as you have to buy wheels etc etc and all that stuff might be worth more then the burban is as is...

I do not know your wallet details but if you have $$$ to burn then go for it...but I would just have brakes checked
 
Everything checked out twice - did new rotors/pads in the front a couple years ago, and just did the rears. Certainly unfair to compare to my Audi or Porsche :) I have to schedule the braking on the calendar with this vehicle.
 
Is there a better bang for the buck (better performance) that fits under 18"?
 
Is there a better bang for the buck (better performance) that fits under 18"?
Probably not for these trucks...

Bigger rotors and larger pads will always stop quicker.
 
I just added these and they feel nice
 

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Is a Hydroboost upgrade more significant (performance) and/or cost effective?
From what I read it's more work. Best bang for your buck is larger calipers and rotors. I suggest getting calipers (Make sure they come with the bracket), rotor and brake pads for a 2007 Tahoe. Everything bolts right up just make sure you are running 17's or larger rims.
 
I'm confused here. Hope someone can help me clarify these questions.

1. The caliper upgrade needs 17" wheels minimum but when buying aftermarket calipers, which years/models should I look for?
2. Rebuilding calipers - I used to always rebuild mine but have heard from some mechanics that they don't or won't on ABS systems but never give me a good reason as to why not. Anyone have a reason?
3. SS lines I'm sure would firm up the squishy pedal, but again, going to that different caliper, would the same year lines be needed or do I keep my year when sourcing the parts?
4. Rotor replacement - already have slotted and drilled rotors from when I did the brakes two years ago. Logic would lean towards yes as a larger caliper would mean more pad surface correct?

Thanks!
 
2: Cheaper to buy rebuild/new calipers then buy all the parts and work involved in rebuilding them your self. I paid $40 for new calipers few years ago from local auto parts. Also save time buying rebuilt ones since they tend to have them at local auto parts store but who has rebuild kits locally?
WHo has proper tools and hone etc to rebuild calipers?

If you mess up or piston still sticks you gotta do it all again your dime.
If you buy rebuilt one they have warranty.

Heck ever seen a mechanic or dealership rebuild them? and they could charge for the time but nope better to just replace as needed.
 
I'm confused here. Hope someone can help me clarify these questions.

1. The caliper upgrade needs 17" wheels minimum but when buying aftermarket calipers, which years/models should I look for?
2. Rebuilding calipers - I used to always rebuild mine but have heard from some mechanics that they don't or won't on ABS systems but never give me a good reason as to why not. Anyone have a reason?
3. SS lines I'm sure would firm up the squishy pedal, but again, going to that different caliper, would the same year lines be needed or do I keep my year when sourcing the parts?
4. Rotor replacement - already have slotted and drilled rotors from when I did the brakes two years ago. Logic would lean towards yes as a larger caliper would mean more pad surface correct?

Thanks!
1. 2007 - 2014 primarily. Avalanche, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, etc...
2. Liability is a big reason why the mechanics won't rebuild calipers. If something goes wrong, they only installed the part. That and the part cost is low, like YGMN said, so not worth it.
3. Same lines, no change required.
4. Yes, you would need to replace with the larger rotors from the GMT900 platform.
 
1. 2007 - 2014 primarily. Avalanche, Tahoe, Yukon, Escalade, etc...
2. Liability is a big reason why the mechanics won't rebuild calipers. If something goes wrong, they only installed the part. That and the part cost is low, like YGMN said, so not worth it.
3. Same lines, no change required.
4. Yes, you would need to replace with the larger rotors from the GMT900 platform.
Appreciate your clarification. I knew about the rebuilds by mechanics buy again appreciate it.
I'll probably get me some rims and do the update with the larger calipers.
 
Dont forget a larger wheel for the spare.

The existing 17" Z66, Z71 & Northface wheels from 2002 will be ok with this mod.
 
2: Cheaper to buy rebuild/new calipers then buy all the parts and work involved in rebuilding them your self. I paid $40 for new calipers few years ago from local auto parts. Also save time buying rebuilt ones since they tend to have them at local auto parts store but who has rebuild kits locally?
WHo has proper tools and hone etc to rebuild calipers?

If you mess up or piston still sticks you gotta do it all again your dime.
If you buy rebuilt one they have warranty.

Heck ever seen a mechanic or dealership rebuild them? and they could charge for the time but nope better to just replace as needed.
You've made great points there about the time involved to rebuild them and if they're not done correctly, I'll have to redo the work. Yet there are 2 factors at play here; 1. I believe my calipers are original and the seals weak as hell and 2. cost to do the GMT900 upgrade. ATM my cash needs to be diverted to other things.

It's been about 20 years since I rebuilt a caliper and wonder if I still remeber how to do it. lol

Personally, I think we all throw too much stuff away instead of keeping it in good operational condition. Guess my upbringing instilled that in me as I always had to fix what we had if we wanted to keep it.
 
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