new calipers for 90 model Z71? doc?

I've got the $9 a piece calipers (autozone) on my '88 K2500 and I've had ZERO problems with them. as long as you buy quality pads,and don't forget the slider lube, you'll be fine.

-Bret

Last two sets of calipers I bought from AZ, the bleeder screws snapped off after being on the truck for less than a year. This was after a liberal blast of PB Blaster and the magical tap-tap-tappie as you back it out. Last set of wheel cylinders I bought from AZ, one of them SHEARED off where it protrudes from the drum backing plate. Damdest thing I ever did see.

So, I don't buy any brake parts from AZ anymore!

Doc

A caliper is pretty much a caliper. Never used Raybestos calipers before, but their pads are great so I'd just guess that their calipers are decent as well. I used to use Autozone cheapies like Bret mentioned (see my reply to his post), but two bad sets and I've switched to NAPA brake parts.

Doc

sure ya do.... how about those performance friction pads? anywhoo... I only bought the AZ ones as they were all I could afford at the time (wife was 8 mos pregnant) I junked the garbage pads as soon as I got the chance with some decent Albany's... haven't had issues with the calipers in the nearly 1.5 yrs they've been on the truck. my wheel cylinders are NAPA parts.... my truck can be threshold braked hard enough to slap a unsuspecting passengers head against the windshield (little brothers... hehehehehe)

-Bret

hmm....slapping people against the windshield - my '79 K-1500 with a NP203 works *great* for that......just lock that transfer case, and generously apply that brake pedal.....those tires'll *NEVER* lock up...... :-D

As for az brake parts, the front calipers on my truck have been there since umm...1999, 2000? they're AZ, and haven't had any probs with 'em....I got the hoses there too....but have long ago ditched the 'semi-metallic' style pads for the carbon metallic (performance friction)....as for rotors and drums, there's no way in hell i'll buy 'em from AZ.....not only are they crap to start with, they're stored on side instead of flat....and last time i asked my DM why they were done like that, his reply was "they don't sit on the shelf long enough to damage 'em", when I know damn well there's been some of 'em on the shelf for >5 years......for me, it's either raybestos or bendix rotors and drums......

JC

Ya got me, I do buy PF pads and love em'. Brake hardware is what I now boycott from AZ. The worked great while they were on, no complaints there, but when that damned thing sheared off it gave me a nice look into the quality of the parts I was buying.

Careful if/when you have to crack those bleeders! Ever since I slapped a new combo valve, master and booster on ol' Chelsea she stops faster than a Honduh at a skateboard shop; pretty impressive how fast these big trucks can stop when they braking system is working correctly.

Doc