2001 Silverado Rear Rotors

[Murphster05]

Hey All,

I have a 5.3 4WD extended cab and it is time to replace the pads and rotors all around. I am going with Kragen's brand of "premium" rotors and pads with the lifetime warranty, I don't do too much towing these days so I am not too worried about getting the best of the best.

They have two sizes for the rear rotor, a 325 mm and a 330 mm. Is there any way to know what size i have without taking off the wheel?

Should be a nice easy job once I get going...

Thanks for any help!

[ukrkoz]

take the wheel off.
why replacing? turn them.
Kragen, huh? it's schucks/kragen corporation.. they are not the best to start with, just giving you a fair warning. NAPA is much better quality, even Autozone is. I seriously had excellent luck with CarQuest.
well, it is not a hard job to do, yes. as far as you have strong arms, HD jack and large size tools. everything is over-sized on those.
it's been a while since i took mine off, i just turned them. but something tells me there's torx head bolt there.... GM LOVES torx heads. oh, the designed obsolesce...

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Murphster05

Hey All,

I have a 5.3 4WD extended cab and it is time to replace the pads and rotors all around. I am going with Kragen's brand of "premium" rotors and pads with the lifetime warranty, I don't do too much towing these days so I am not too worried about getting the best of the best.

They have two sizes for the rear rotor, a 325 mm and a 330 mm. Is there any way to know what size i have without taking off the wheel?

Should be a nice easy job once I get going...

Thanks for any help!

I used advance auto lifetime rotors and brake pads..last year...

still good..rotated tires and rotors still LOOKING very good ///good braking ..used OEM semi metalic.

rust belt here I was lucky to get 9yrs out of the originals , as they rusted thru in spots..

1500 truck your year should be only one size..with the 4wd 5.3L as my 2000 silverado is..

if rusted or worn poorly best get new..

do the front pair one week , then the rear another week..that way the braking will be better..

wash the rotors with mineral spirits to remove the protective oil film..

I also used 180 sand paper circular direction for helping seat the new pads to new rotor..rotors look like mirror very smooth..no grooves.

[Murphster05]

Might be worth looking into getting the rotors turned instead of swapping in new ones. I think I am going to take this stuff back to Kragen... They think there are two different sizes of rear rotors so I am not sure I trust any of this crap anymore. I love Napa, but there isn't one too close to me so I went with Kragen instead. Probably not a great idea.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Murphster05

Might be worth looking into getting the rotors turned instead of swapping in new ones. I think I am going to take this stuff back to Kragen... They think there are two different sizes of rear rotors so I am not sure I trust any of this crap anymore. I love Napa, but there isn't one too close to me so I went with Kragen instead. Probably not a great idea.

the rotors are available with a lifetime warrantee at advance auto . there is a store in the city you say you live..I had no problems !


why are you replacing these rotors ? if rusted or distorted not a good idea to have cut..if they have some surface grooves no big deal if slightly damaged.

[Murphster05]

Old city, I live in the bay area now. I am going to turn the rotors and just replace the pads. Should last another couple of years no problem....

Thanks for all the advice. Taking back the Kragen stuff and I am going to get the napa pads, better company more reliable. Especially since Kragen has me listed for two different rotors... doesn't inspire any confidence.

[slo99sierra]

They list 2 different rotor sizes because of the 4WS models in that year range.

If the rotors arn't terribly distorted, I'd have them turned. But turning rotors can become dangerous if turned a second or third time. NAPA rotors are good..But I'd look into PowerSlot rotors and the appropriated pads that are recommended (non-ceramic!).

While you're at it, grease the caliper slides of each corner.

[Murphster05]

I haven't had these rotors turned yet and they aren't rusty or anything as of yet, so I don't think it is a problem to turn them. What is difference between non ceramic and ceramic, and why is one better?

Thanks!

[slo99sierra]

Originally Posted by Murphster05

I haven't had these rotors turned yet and they aren't rusty or anything as of yet, so I don't think it is a problem to turn them. What is difference between non ceramic and ceramic, and why is one better?

Thanks!

Ceramic pads are more expensive and don't do you any good unless you have ceramic coated rotors.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Murphster05

I haven't had these rotors turned yet and they aren't rusty or anything as of yet, so I don't think it is a problem to turn them. What is difference between non ceramic and ceramic, and why is one better?

Thanks!

the vehicle you have requires semi metalic with the oem rotors.

using ceramic will destroy the oem rotors quickly..also poor braking as the abs may act up due to the different braking rates causing slip/slide issues.

basicly ceramic brakes are much hotter oem can't handle it..

[iroc343]

You guys keep talking about turning these rotors. My 2005 HD2500 rotors only had .070 difference between the thickness of a brand new rotor and the minimum allowance. With a little rust or wear grooves you can't turn them and still be legal.

[Murphster05]

I knew I needed new brakes and took it to a shop for something else. They told me there was sufficient rotor to turn them, so I am trusting their word, after all, why would they try and save me money? The quote from them for pads and turned rotors was... drum roll... $575!!!!!! No thanks, I was planning on doing it on my own anyway!

I have heard you can basically get one turn out, and that is pretty much it...

[slo99sierra]

Originally Posted by Murphster05

I knew I needed new brakes and took it to a shop for something else. They told me there was sufficient rotor to turn them, so I am trusting their word, after all, why would they try and save me money? The quote from them for pads and turned rotors was... drum roll... $575!!!!!! No thanks, I was planning on doing it on my own anyway!

I have heard you can basically get one turn out, and that is pretty much it...

For that much you could upgrade to PowerSlot rotors and new EBC pads.

However, I'd much rather replace rotors than turn them.

[Murphster05]

I agree that getting new rotors is a better way to go in the long run, but if they are within spec to be turned, why waste the extra money? I think they are like $40 for a new rotor, and $12 to have them turned, extra $112 saved covers the pads right there.

I can't imagine what the hell they were doing for $575, for that amount I would expect, at the VERY least, new rotors. Crazy how much they charge. Especially at a shop with a lift and the proper tools, new pads is a 45 minute job all around.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Murphster05

I agree that getting new rotors is a better way to go in the long run, but if they are within spec to be turned, why waste the extra money? I think they are like $40 for a new rotor, and $12 to have them turned, extra $112 saved covers the pads right there.

I can't imagine what the hell they were doing for $575, for that amount I would expect, at the VERY least, new rotors. Crazy how much they charge. Especially at a shop with a lift and the proper tools, new pads is a 45 minute job all around.

you know that it costs alot to live in the bay area ?

I bet if you went to texas this would be done for alot less in labor costs.

in my area the cost is dependent on the aera you are in ..

in the boston immediate area a complete brake job rotors front rear and pads would be 1200.oo...

you do it, this is down to 300.oo..

If you clear 800.oo /per day in wages, best have the shop do it.