Just finished a ton of work...ask me anything

[jyi786]

I never had any luck doing the rubber boots I always ruined them

I consider myself truly lucky to have gotten all 8 done (2 per caliper) without destroying a single one. On the front driver caliper, I had no choice but to replace because one was completely blown out.

 

[BourbonNcigars]

"Just finished a ton of work...ask me anything"

Are single celled organisms lonely?

Do golf balls get recycled?

Is Paraguay a good place for an anti-gun lobbyist?

What's the NaCl content of crack sweat after a July marathon?

Do whales really talk?

Why didn't the eagles just fly Frodo to Mt. Doom?

 

[drseth]

This past week, I did all this:

1. Drained and refilled both front and rear differentials and the transfer case.
2. Replaced the transmission fluid via "transfusion".
3. Changed all the spark plugs and wires.
4. Changed the brakes and bled the entire system.

I learned some valuable lessons along the way. This was also the most difficult job I've ever done, and not because I didn't know how to do it, but because of...other things.

1. While tightening the front diff fill plug, it got stripped. Gonna have to replace the plug next time I do it.

2. I forgot I disconnected the transmission cooler pipe and turned the truck on for 15 seconds. Spilled about 3/4 quart of transmission fluid into the engine bay.

3. Spark plugs were much easier than the horror stories I've read, especially about the two in the back (on the driver's and passenger's side). It only took me an hour, and that's because I was working very meticulously and it was my first time doing it. I can do it in 25 minutes now. I started with spark plug #8. Stuck a 5/8 spark plug remover tool on it, and then got my wrench on it with a 3/4 socket. Plenty of clearance to move around and get it out easily.

4. The brakes were a royal PITA. More accurately, the caliper brackets. The boots have to be changed with a pressing tool. I don't have one, so I had to resort to getting them off with a screwdriver, a rubber mallet, and elbow grease. Getting the new ones on required the rubber mallet, intense amount of striking precision, and a ridiculous amount of time.

5. Unfortunately, I stripped at least one of the brake bleeder valves, and will have to replace it next time I do the brakes for sure. I didn't tighten the driver rear bleeder valve enough, left the cap off accidentally, and drove it around like that. Only discovered it when I found brake fluid everywhere. No ill effects because I simply re-bled from that wheel and tightened it.

Not having a lift and having a rocky uneven driveway has led to the most pain I've experienced for a long while now. I need to invest in power/air compressor driven tools.

How did you do the transfusion? Drain the pan, run it for a while. Drain the pan, run it for a while. Drain the pan, run it a while?

Brakes, did the rotors need replacing ? Or just do a pad slap?

 

[jyi786]

How did you do the transfusion? Drain the pan, run it for a while. Drain the pan, run it for a while. Drain the pan, run it a while?

Brakes, did the rotors need replacing ? Or just do a pad slap?

Up to 6:26. I did not do anything underneath. Simply ran the drain/refill procedure over 16 quarts, which is as many as it takes to get the fluid completely cherry red. Worked perfectly.

For the pads, I believe the rotors up front needed replacing because I'm sure they were warped. I changed brake pads all around, the front rotors, and bled the entire system.

 

[mountie]

I'll have to re-look at my dealer / VIN / service record history. ( previous owner had all service on time & dealer-done ).... I should find out dates the previous services were done to see if I am scheduled to refresh tune up stuff.

I know I want to check brakes/rotors... it feels fine, but I don't like to guess the wear.

 

[jyi786]

I'll have to re-look at my dealer / VIN / service record history. ( previous owner had all service on time & dealer-done ).... I should find out dates the previous services were done to see if I am scheduled to refresh tune up stuff.

I know I want to check brakes/rotors... it feels fine, but I don't like to guess the wear.

Yeah, I highly advise checking the brakes/rotors. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't cost much, and changing it gives you ultimate peace of mind. Trust me, I was shocked to find that there were basically no pads left on all 4 corners. They were almost down to bare metal. I guess it's to be expected due to my very spirited driving style and the fact that the pads have to constantly stop this massive truck, but I was still surprised it lasted less than 2 years.

 

[GTNator]

That’s awesome (the title of this thread).


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[trailblazer]

Instead of fumble-fu**ing with strange rubber boots just buy all four remanufactured ACDelco “coated” calipers and rotors. I did that last fall with the wife’s Silverado and they still look brand new. I got everything from RockAuto. Don’t forget to replace the brake hoses too! They are a serious failure point and can cause mayhem if they get clogged and cause a frozen caliber.


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[adventurenali92]

@jyi786 , how hard is it to drain and refill differentials? I’m thinking I need to do this to my 2006 AWD Denali. If it’s not all that difficult I think I need to just tackle it myself. What fluid and how much is needed to change both front and rear diffs?

 

[kaleburditt]

Right, same here. I tried doing it from a step ladder, that wasn't happening. You have to just lie on top of the engine block. The mistake I made was that I should have put down some type of blanket or matting before I did that, because I basically tore up my chest and rib cage area.

I use one (or three) moving blankets. Cheap at harbor freight. Padded. And disposable when they get greasy which actually takes a while since they are kind of absorb ant. I actually travel with them as you can lay on them on gravel and not hurt.