"Smitty's Garage"

PC 12-47E · By: **PC 12-47E** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:49 pm

Well, lets hope we can have Richard add a new title in General Interests.... This section would be for discussion on Truck & Auto, Bike & Boat Maintenance and Repair. :idea:

PC 12-47E · By: **PC 12-47E** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 5:11 pm

If you own a GM product you know how bad the brakes rust etc... I have a 2003 GMC Sierra Extended Cab 4X4 with 55,000 miles on it. Last summer the brake lines rusted out. I lost the brakes in traffic... :shock:

. It was NOT a fun ride, but I did not hit a thing. Lucky....At that point the front rotors and pads had to be replaced along with all the brake lines. This was the second set of pads all around.
This summer the rear rotors, pads and Backing plates had to be replaced.

On a GM truck you have to pull the axles to change the backing plates.... My Backing plates were rusted and had to go but I found some Split Backing plates on line that can be changed without pulling the axles. This will save some time and mess....

rberq · By: **rberq** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 6:15 pm

Being in Maine like you, every garage I know of has been doing record numbers of brake line replacements lately. The mechanics say it is because of increased Winter use of road salt to offset reduced sand. I have to say, the Winter roads are generally safer for driving, if you discount the folks who don't have brakes any more. :lol:

My favorite shop says they no longer replace steel lines with steel, they now use whatever Volvo has been using for years -- a copper/nickel alloy, maybe?

freetown fred · By: **freetown fred** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 6:19 pm

Here's my input--this week I removed & replaced transmission & transfer case in the old 78 Chevy plow truck--they were cast,not sissy ass aluminum---it sucked---PC,what's the brake deal--on my plow truck,the right rear still works--any sudden stops & I'm looking for a snow drift :lol:

JB Sparks · By: **JB Sparks** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 6:35 pm

A couple of years ago my son bought a 2002 GMC pick-up. It was in great shape except for all the rust on the frame. So he put it up on a lift and cleaned it really good after it dried he sprayed everything he could reach with Rust-Oleum "Rust Reformer". It's been about a year and we don't see any rust returning......yet! I still think he needs to put a paint job over the reformer but, what do I know.

PC, that looks as bad as I have ever seen, good luck on the fix.

mozz · By: **mozz** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 7:06 pm

From the site carcomplaints.com.
Look almost any year silverado and see how many complaints on rusted brake line, fuel line, power steering etc.etc

nhtsa, as of march 30 2010, investigation open service brakes hydraulic / the office of defects investigation received a defect petition on 3/2 10 requesting the investigation of model yr 2003 chev silverado 2500hd 4wd p/u trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines. the petitioner alleged a sudden loss of brake effectiveness and extended stopping distance after a corroded brake burst during a brake application. the office od defects has received 110 owner complaints for model yr 1999 thru 2003 chev and gmc c/k series p/u trucks and suv the complaints allege the loss of braking effectiveness due to brake line rupture because of corrosion in 37 of these complaints. the brake line failure was confirmed by a dealer inspection. three complaints allege that corroded brake line failure resulted in a crash. a preliminary evaluation has been opened to determine the frequency scope and safety consequences of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. the agency is looking at whether corrosion caused by the use of salt in northern states is damaging brake controls gm said it is cooperating in the investigation.

CapeCoaler · By: **CapeCoaler** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:04 pm

Do you take the truck swimming in the ocean with you...

I have a 2003 GMC Sierra Extended Cab 4X4 with 55,000 miles on it.

See that is the problem...
You need to warm those brakes up to drive all the moisture out of them... :lol:

I have 145,000 on my '03 GMC 1500...
Looks nothing like that...
But I will take a closer look at the brake system after seeing your pics... :idea:

PC 12-47E · By: **PC 12-47E** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:15 pm

Hi CapeCoaler, The brake lines rusted at the distribution block under the driverside rear seat.
I hope all goes well for you with EARL !!!!
The brake lines have been replaced with a copper / nickel ( Monel ) alloy.
After a year they still look NEW.

The truck has not been in the salt water :lol:

One owner, one driver......

PC 12-47E · By: **PC 12-47E** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:29 pm

This is what one backing plate looks like after it is removed from the rear X. :shock:

We have a 300' gravel drivway but only 700' from the salt water....

Wood'nCoal · By: **Wood'nCoal** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:38 pm

My '96 F-250, purchased in December, 2008, has had most of the brake lines replaced, I replaced the line to the LF wheel after it sprung a leak during a stop, so the corrosion isn't limited to GM products.
I have hot and cold water plumbed to the hose bib on the driveway side of the house, during the winter I'm constantly hosing the salt and other corrosives off my vehicles. In Sussex county the road dept. adds grit to the mix, so whatever the salt doesn't get the gravel will.

Richard S. · By: **Richard S.** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:43 pm

PC 12-47E wrote:Well, lets hope we can have Richard add a new title in General Interests.... This section would be for discussion on Truck & Auto, Bike & Boat Maintenance and Repair.

That is what this forum is for, don't need another one.

Hambden Bob · By: **Hambden Bob** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:48 pm

The battery acid that they've been using in Ohio has made these pictures come alive for us. And we sure 'aint by the Ocean. It's a brine/emulsifier mix as close as I can tell. They'll pre-coat road surfaces ahead of a forecast snow/ice episode. Seems to like to rot the living daylights out of anything unprotected......Smitty's Garage...I couldn't think of a finer gearhead to name it after. His avatar says it all ! :flush:

Wood'nCoal · By: **Wood'nCoal** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 8:54 pm

The pre-storm brine coating is happening here as well.
The one advantage I have is that I drive a leased company vehicle most of the time so I don't really worry too much about corrosion.
But when I do drive one of mine on the salt-laden roads I have to do the flushing procedure.
Back in the day...

...I always had a "winter car" for this purpose.

: (411.78 KiB) Viewed 66 times; View: New Page • Popup • Select:BBCode; "Winter Car" from back "In the day". '67 Impala, 6 cyl, Powerglide, Posi rear!. Paid $150 for it, drove it for years until it just rusted away.; [nepathumb]21903[/nepathumb]

freetown fred · By: **freetown fred** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:17 pm

wood n coal--what's that behind it,a 55 chev---even w/ the pop-up I'm not sure my memory works that well :lol:

Hambden Bob · By: **Hambden Bob** On: Thu Sep 02, 2010 9:19 pm

Cripes,Fred....Microchips,Pop-Tarts,they're all the same ! Eat one and that memory ought to kick right up !

"Smitty's Garage"

"Smitty's Garage"

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )

Re: "Smitty's Garage" ( A New Section In GENERAL INTERESTS ? )