Brakes on a '98 GMC Z71

[ssatch]

need a little info here guys...the brakes on my truck are fine for the most part under normal conditions but every summer when i start towing my 2 1/2 ton pontoon boat the darn rotors get messed up and i have to have them turned...so far i've replaced them twice and i was wondering if there was a better rotor that i could use...the trailer has brakes but it seems that it only takes a panic stop or two to ruin the rotors and then its time to have them trued up or replace them...i hate to get into a pricy fix but this situation is getting old...i love the truck but the brakes suck if you do any brakeing except for very mild brakeing...

thanks

[GMMerlin]

Make sure the rear brakes are adjusted properly

[ssatch]

thanks GMMerlin...
you may have hit the nail on the head...i've never adjusted the rear brakes since they are self adjusted...but it does make sense that i'm working the front brakes too hard...i'll give that a look see...do you just remove a rubber plug and use a tool to turn a star wheel?...seems that i've read somewhere that you must remove the rear drums and adj them and then put the drums back on...it's cold as the dickens out right now so i haven't gone outside to look...thanks again for your quick response !!

[Bob B]

Hi,
If things haven't changed recently,
The rears self adjust but only when appllied while backing. So some people rarely use the brakes when backing because they are going slow and just shift into drive. Then they don't adjust.
On an older car I had the pedal get lower over time and when I learned abuut the self adjust, I started to use the brakes firmly when backing. That fixes it.
One little click at a time.
Bob B

[GMMerlin]

Brakes need to be properly adjusted.
Adjust til you feel a slight drag then depending if you have
1. Duo-Servo Drum Brakes: Turn the adjusting screw until the wheel can be turned by hand. The brake drag should be equal at both ends.
Back off the adjusting screw 33 notches
OR
2.Leading/Trailing Drum Brakes: The brake drag should be equal at both wheels.
Back off the adjusting screw 20 notches. Brakes should have no drag after the adjusting screw is backed off about 10 notches. If a heavy drag is still present, refer to Park Brake Cable Service/Adjustment .

[ChevyWonTon]

Originally Posted by ssatch

when i start towing my 2 1/2 ton pontoon boat

I assume you also use this truck to back that pontoon boat down the boat ramp. You may want to look closer at the inside of the drum brakes to see if you've been dippin' them into the water at the boat ramp. I know some boat ramps are steeper than others, and you sometimes need to back pretty far down the ramp to get the boat floating.

Some corrosion might have caused the adjusters to get "stuck" and not be working properly.

On the other hand, I'd say you aren't backup up without using your brakes, 'cause I'm thinking you have to use them as you get down near the water or you get all wet!

[ChevyWonTon]

Just had another thought - maybe the trailer brakes aren't working too well either! We know THEY get dipped in the water each time you float the boat. An extra 5000 pounds is a lot if the extra trailer brakes aren't doing their job.

[ssatch]

good thought, i will check on those adjusters when i get time to work on the truck...i replaced the shoes a good while back but i remember getting a adjuster kit or something like that, anyway it was all new stuff and i greased the threads and such....i also got new springs for each side....my drive way is uphill so i always pull in just so i have to use the brakes at the end of the drive ...it won't be long until i have to break down and give her some TLC....shaking so bad it nearly jars the fillings out of my teeth !....lol
thanks guys for all the input so far !