Brake improvement suggestions for '03 Tahoe?

[Chad]

Hi all,

I have a 2003 Tahoe Z-71 that I use to trailer a boat often. For daily driving the brakes are "ok" but when towing the boat I just don't feel like I have the stopping power I want. The pads and rotors are all in good shape. The pedal feels soft, but I have had the brakes bled recently (by a shop) and it didn't improve things much. I have read elsewhere that these trucks are somewhat notorious for a soft feeling brake pedal. Still, it does not feel like the stopping power is what it should be. A friend of mine has a newer (06?) Denali XL and when towing my boat behind it, the stopping power is far better.

Can someone either suggest a few ways I can improve the brake system through upgrades, or if you think it may just be something wrong with my brake system, suggest where I might start looking to diagnose it?

Thanks in advance!

-Chad

 

[Monster]

Chad,

I recently picked up a 03 Tahoe Z71 that needed a lot of TLC. I’m almost done bringing the vehicle back to a like new condition and one of the big improvements I did was getting the brakes to stop the vehicle.

My Tahoe has the twin cylinder rear calipers which is, if I understand correctly from my research, is included with the factory trailering package.

After replacing all of the brake fluid in the brake system (it was black, should be clear) I put ceramic pads on all four corners. These caused a significant reduction in the brake peddle effort I needed in order to stop the vehicle.

You did not say what you boat weighs in at but my trailer comes in around 3K pounds and braking is effortless now.

I just bought generic ceramic pad from the local auto parts store, nothing special.

 

[GhostHoe]

You could always get these.

http://www.autocarparts.com/part/195/169/

 

[JKmotorsports]

You can always start by upgrading the pads to a set with a better friction coefficient.
Another option that will make a difference is upgrading the front rotor size. Larger rotors kits will usually come with brackets to relocate the stock calipers to accomodate the larger rotors. This will move the calipers farther out, creating better leverage and improve stopping power. Replacing the stock rotors with larger rotors is much cheaper than going with a full blown big brake kit, yet will usually make a significant difference.
One more upgrade that will help improve pedal feel is swapping over to the hydraulic booster system rather than the vacuum booster. You can find these in a lot of the later models trucks on the 2500-3500 frames, like the HD silverado, HD suburbans, etc. The swap can be done fairly cheap by using most of the parts from a salvage yard.

 

[Chad]

You can always start by upgrading the pads to a set with a better friction coefficient.
Another option that will make a difference is upgrading the front rotor size. Larger rotors kits will usually come with brackets to relocate the stock calipers to accomodate the larger rotors. This will move the calipers farther out, creating better leverage and improve stopping power. Replacing the stock rotors with larger rotors is much cheaper than going with a full blown big brake kit, yet will usually make a significant difference.
One more upgrade that will help improve pedal feel is swapping over to the hydraulic booster system rather than the vacuum booster. You can find these in a lot of the later models trucks on the 2500-3500 frames, like the HD silverado, HD suburbans, etc. The swap can be done fairly cheap by using most of the parts from a salvage yard.

Both of these options sound excellent. Can you point me in the direction of 1.) a good place to purchase a larger rotor kit and 2.) any resources or guides that would explain the process of swapping out the vacuum booster for a hydraulic one?

Thank you!!

 

[tx tahoe z71]

For my truck, the two most significant differences came from Hotchkis swaybars, because they help distribute the weight more evenly during braking by reducing the nose-dive, and running 1" smaller tire. I went from a 265/70/17 to a 275/60/17, a bit wider and about 1" shorter, and it made it feel like a whole new truck. Quicker around town and brakes much more effortlessly. I also picked up 1 bit over 1mpg in the city. If you don't need new tires, then this is probably not a good solution, but something to keep in mind when that time comes.

The earlier suggestions, like new pads, larger rotors, or hydraulic swap, are probably more cost effective and will more directly improve your braking, so I would look to those first, starting with the least expensive until you get the desired results.

 

[Bromaguire]

If you want real results buy a Brembo BBK. I have a supercharger on my truck and there are plenty of situations where I need to slow down real fast and the stock brakes dont exactly do that. I've tried different pads and rotors and the made a very minimal difference. I also tow with a boat and braking is necessary. I have a used front Brembo 14" 4piston kit for sale. PM me if your intreseted.

 

[OmarR]

In addition to everyone else's excellent suggestions:

Stainless steel brake lines. I did this, along with a brake flush, and I could, without a doubt, tell the difference.

Goodridge and Russell Performance make kits for our trucks.

Russell speed bleeders will also make bleeding an easy, one-man job.

 

[Max]

Hydroboost is a huge upgrade, as are stainless lines and even a basic big brake kit using the stock calipers. I have the powerslot plus kit using 14" rotors but you have to run an 18" wheel or larger, made a drastic improvement with stops at higher speeds. I use the hawk LTS pads with great success. Hydroboost install:

http://www.gmfullsize.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156800&highlight=hydroboost