98~05 Blazer brake upgrade! DONE!

mkube396

Greasemonkey
Aug 28, 2009
132
10
0
South Buffalo / West seneca NY
This upgrade made a HUGE difference for me. My old hardware was only 2 years old on the calipers, rotators, and pads.
i am going to have my alignment looked at in a few weeks. But for now it is parked till it gets nicer out.


I just wanted to post an easy to do, bolt-on upgrade for our g-bodies braking system. This can be done with all GM parts, in just a few hours, and is a worthwhile upgrade for anyone looking to upgrade to a dual caliper braking system.
The thickness of the blazer rotator was 1.20" and the G-body was 1.0” the diameter is 10.5 in for the G-body and 10.78 for the blazer

To upgrade stock G-body brakes, you will be using 1998 ~ 2005 blazer / Jimmy Knuckles (2WD ONLY!)

Blazers allso came stock with 14" rims so stock seel rims will work

The 4wd might work but you would have to install the lower ball joint upside down. but that would not work any how because the 4wd ball joints are not pressed in there bolted in. and the 2wd and G-body ball joints are not made to install like that and would fall out, when you hit a bump... here is 2 pics comparing the two


4WD

lowercontrolearmsideview.jpg



VS

2WD

GEDC0671.jpg



In my case I used spacers on my GTA rims to move them out so that is the only added setep here that you can ignore.



Here is where you start! Ugly rusty brakes wave bye bye :wavey:

GEDC0665.jpg



Make sure to put a jack 1" under the lower arm to catch it, during removal. I just use a hamer to hit the lower control arm if it pops out good! If not, time to use the pickle fork.

GEDC0666.jpg



Here is the knuckle installed. I recommend using a paper thin coat of RTV on the setting surface of the dust cover and the bearing/knuckle and filling the gap in the dust cover. If you don't do this it can let water in and trap it behind the hub bearing. That can lead to premature failure. Most after-market Hub bearings will give you a O-Ring for this purpose.


GEDC0672.jpg



Hub bearing installed. The gap I mentioned is behind the ABS Sensor.


GEDC0576.jpg



GEDC0675.jpg


An important thing to note, is you will be using the stock G-body brake hose here. However, you will have to cut off the rubber boot on it so it can flex right. It’s not a big deal I just put some wire loom over. Just dont nick the F*ing brake hose!!!!

GEDC0689.jpg



GEDC0690.jpg


Here it is installed

GEDC0683.jpg


GEDC0692.jpg


GEDC0681.jpg


You're all done just put your tire in and drive!

GEDC0684.jpg



Thats it!!!


here are some shots comparing the 2 calapers


GEDC0582.jpg


GEDC0585.jpg


GEDC0586.jpg


Torque Specs

Wheel Hub and Bearing Assembly to Steering Knuckle Bolts 77 ft.lb
Ball Joint (Lower) 79 ft.lb
Ball Joint (Upper) 61 ft.lb
Ball Joint (Upper Replacement Joint Bolts) 17 ft.lb


Here's some part number help.

Brake Caliper “Passanger side C599 & driver side C598” $45.00 new core $25 each
Brake Pad Caliper Bracket PN# 14-1105 and 14-1106 $11 each on Rockauto
Brake Rotor PN# (55047) $20~$40 each
Brake Pads PN# (726) $20.00~$60.00
Bearing Hub assembly PN# (513200) $50.00~$200.00 each
The knuckles I used came from the junkyard and cost me $50 each for the yard to pull for me, and also came with the Hub bearings. You can get Hub bearings cheep on line for $50~$60 new


and my 1 man bleeder system :D click for the video

 
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Reactions: 8 users

80ELCAMINOFLAKE

Comic Book Super Hero
Sep 2, 2010
2,685
14
38
California So Cal
Re: 89~05 Blazer brake upgrade! DONE!

Wow. Great info, i will be doing this upgrade shortly...this will come in handy!! Thanks
 

Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
G-Body of the Month
Oct 14, 2008
12,156
9,762
113
Gainesville, Fl
Re: 89~05 Blazer brake upgrade! DONE!

Nice!! Thanks for sharing the pics and information. It's on my list of to-do upgrades. I guess you didn't have to unbolt the shocks or swaybar links. That makes it easy. I wondered about the brake hoses...cool. You pretty much covered it. :D
I think I saw a set at the boneyard...I hope they're still there... :?
BTW, I like your power bleeder.. 8)
 

mkube396

Greasemonkey
Aug 28, 2009
132
10
0
South Buffalo / West seneca NY
Re: 89~05 Blazer brake upgrade! DONE!

i added some more info and some pics
 

RITTER

Royal Smart Person
May 26, 2007
2,385
9
38
Hillsdale, MI
Re: 89~05 Blazer brake upgrade! DONE!

First of all, let me say good detailed information and pictures :mrgreen:

I just find it very hard to believe that that swap is worth the money spent. Gaining a 1/4" in overall diameter of the rotor and going from the single piston caliper to a dual piston caliper. It would be cool to see a before and after braking pad test done, just to show the difference in stopping power/distance :idea:
 
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Reactions: 1 user

mkube396

Greasemonkey
Aug 28, 2009
132
10
0
South Buffalo / West seneca NY
Re: 89~05 Blazer brake upgrade! DONE!

All I can say is it helped me i can feel the difference. The pads are bigger The duel pistons combined have more service area to push then the single.
 

crowconcepts

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jun 29, 2008
12
1
1
georgia
Re: 89~05 Blazer brake upgrade! DONE!

I have got to ask for some good ride height pics, and see how the suspension travel is affected. It looks great, hope to see more folks try this see how they like it.
I am planning to install an A-body/IROC big brake install, but this dual piston set up might be a better route.
 
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Reactions: 1 user

Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
G-Body of the Month
Oct 14, 2008
12,156
9,762
113
Gainesville, Fl
Re: 89~05 Blazer brake upgrade! DONE!

mkube396 said:
All i can say is it helped me i can feal the difrince. the pads are bigger to and the duel postons combined have more serfice to push then the single.
besides the larger two piston calipers...the brake pads are significantly larger. I've heard that the braking power is quite noticeable. I could imagine, between doing the front Blazer swap and adding the later F-body rear disc set up what the braking capability would be like.
 

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