Avg. cost of 3/4 ton drum brake job? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wild4wheels · 03-04-2003, 07:55 PM

Trying to buy a truck long distance..needs drum brake work bad..like before driving. What can I expect to pay? It's in a small town in Illinois.

TIA

Wild

68 Suburban · 03-04-2003, 08:57 PM

Because it is a 3/4 ton, I am betting that you will pay at least $100 an axle, not counting if you need things like drums, cylinders, etc.....

Maximum Overdrive · 03-05-2003, 02:20 AM

It depends on what you will need to replace. I did mine myself a few years ago and it cost about $40.00 a axle. This was only putting new shoes on, new parts for the cylinders and having the drums turned. IF you have to replace more parts the bill will jump quite a bit higher. Especially if you need to replace the drums. Last I seen on the drums they were getting anywhere from $75.00-$125.00 each.

mtdave2 · 03-05-2003, 02:35 AM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=brakes

i just went through this lol.. but i did pay retail rate, but at least is warrenteed for ever ... or so they say

bobs409 · 03-05-2003, 09:14 AM

If it needs drums, it's going to be expensive. The other parts are reasonable though.

I suggest doing the work yourself. You can save alot that way.

danho · 03-05-2003, 10:23 AM

Also don't forget about the bearings and races. I just did a brake job on my K20 and all but 2 bearings on the whole truck were shot. At 20-30 bucks each it can add up too. Just a thought.
Dan.

Long Knight · 03-05-2003, 04:13 PM

Had mine done awhile back. Just over $600 all around, all new stuff. Had one problem, I could push the pedal all the way to the floor and the breaks would never come close to locking up. Took it back in three times. I finally found a tip...drive in reverse going about 20mph and stop fast. Do this twice and then do the big adjustments. They do the fine adjusting on their own.

wild4wheels · 03-05-2003, 04:24 PM

Thanks! I will take that into consideration on this thing-I guess they must be really bad cuz the guy sounded pretty desperate to sell. I think with travel and what it's going to take to get it going is putting it out of cheap truck into avg price of truck around here.

Does that backing up thing really work? My Panel just like all of a sudden, but not all the time will pull to the left under moderate breaking. Hmmm.... look out neighbors!

Thanks Again,

Wild

Long Knight · 03-05-2003, 04:31 PM

The breaks on these trucks are "self adjusting." I found that tip in an old mechanics manual I came across, tried it and it worked. Some of it probably had to do with putting pressure on the breaks from another direction so they slide into the right spot. Then again, I've never seen that manual since. Hopefully someone else has heard the same thing so I don't sound so crazy! BTW, I got a 65,000 mile warranty on all the entire job.

Ro

mtdave2 · 03-05-2003, 04:38 PM

ya it works...done it for years

No3Fan4Ever · 03-06-2003, 07:58 AM

What about parts? Are all the re-build hardware kits, cylinders, shoes and such still readily available at parts stores?
Or do you have to order this stuff?

mikep · 03-06-2003, 08:09 AM

The driving in reverse thing isnt really a trick. Drum brakes are designed to self adjust while backing.

bobs409 · 03-07-2003, 08:13 AM

When they aren't frozen up.

Long Knight · 03-10-2003, 11:03 AM

All the parts are still available.

03-04-2003, 07:55 PM	#1
wild4wheels Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Queen Creek, Arizona Posts: 1,626	Avg. cost of 3/4 ton drum brake job? Trying to buy a truck long distance..needs drum brake work bad..like before driving. What can I expect to pay? It's in a small town in Illinois. TIA Wild __________________ Dave aka "Wild" Current truck "Ida Mae" 71 K5 Blazer Former Trucks "Loretta" 71 Longbed (AZ) "Tanya" 69 Stepside (AZ) "Ferdinand" 71 Longhorn (SD) "Patches" 67 Panel (IA/ KY) "Rosita" 68 C30 (KY) Instagram @Wildforwheels @k5_klub @c10university Profile pic provided by Jeff Sundance

03-05-2003, 02:35 AM	#4
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,508	http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=brakes i just went through this lol.. but i did pay retail rate, but at least is warrenteed for ever ... or so they say __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

03-05-2003, 09:14 AM	#5
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	If it needs drums, it's going to be expensive. The other parts are reasonable though. I suggest doing the work yourself. You can save alot that way. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

03-05-2003, 10:23 AM	#6
danho Pesemistic Optimist Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Prineville, Oregon Posts: 227	. Also don't forget about the bearings and races. I just did a brake job on my K20 and all but 2 bearings on the whole truck were shot. At 20-30 bucks each it can add up too. Just a thought. Dan.

03-05-2003, 04:13 PM	#7
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	Had mine done awhile back. Just over $600 all around, all new stuff. Had one problem, I could push the pedal all the way to the floor and the breaks would never come close to locking up. Took it back in three times. I finally found a tip...drive in reverse going about 20mph and stop fast. Do this twice and then do the big adjustments. They do the fine adjusting on their own. __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

03-04-2003, 08:57 PM	#2
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Because it is a 3/4 ton, I am betting that you will pay at least $100 an axle, not counting if you need things like drums, cylinders, etc.....

03-05-2003, 02:20 AM	#3
Maximum Overdrive December 21, 2012 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Black Eagle, Montana Posts: 1,634	It depends on what you will need to replace. I did mine myself a few years ago and it cost about $40.00 a axle. This was only putting new shoes on, new parts for the cylinders and having the drums turned. IF you have to replace more parts the bill will jump quite a bit higher. Especially if you need to replace the drums. Last I seen on the drums they were getting anywhere from $75.00-$125.00 each.

03-05-2003, 04:24 PM	#8
wild4wheels Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Queen Creek, Arizona Posts: 1,626	Thanks! I will take that into consideration on this thing-I guess they must be really bad cuz the guy sounded pretty desperate to sell. I think with travel and what it's going to take to get it going is putting it out of cheap truck into avg price of truck around here. Does that backing up thing really work? My Panel just like all of a sudden, but not all the time will pull to the left under moderate breaking. Hmmm.... look out neighbors! Thanks Again, Wild __________________ Dave aka "Wild" Current truck "Ida Mae" 71 K5 Blazer Former Trucks "Loretta" 71 Longbed (AZ) "Tanya" 69 Stepside (AZ) "Ferdinand" 71 Longhorn (SD) "Patches" 67 Panel (IA/ KY) "Rosita" 68 C30 (KY) Instagram @Wildforwheels @k5_klub @c10university Profile pic provided by Jeff Sundance

03-05-2003, 04:31 PM	#9
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	The breaks on these trucks are "self adjusting." I found that tip in an old mechanics manual I came across, tried it and it worked. Some of it probably had to do with putting pressure on the breaks from another direction so they slide into the right spot. Then again, I've never seen that manual since. Hopefully someone else has heard the same thing so I don't sound so crazy! BTW, I got a 65,000 mile warranty on all the entire job. Ro __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

03-05-2003, 04:38 PM	#10
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,508	ya it works...done it for years __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

03-06-2003, 07:58 AM	#11
No3Fan4Ever Running on empty Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 1,033	What about parts? Are all the re-build hardware kits, cylinders, shoes and such still readily available at parts stores? Or do you have to order this stuff? __________________ _____________________________________________ Tim We have two rules here at the Rock. Rule #1: No writing on the walls. Rule#2: Obey all rules 70 GMC Sierra Grande "Custom Camper" Longhorn 402 Big Block TH400 PS PB factory AC Posi; 94 Bronco XLT 302, auto;worn out daily driver

03-06-2003, 08:09 AM	#12
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	The driving in reverse thing isnt really a trick. Drum brakes are designed to self adjust while backing. __________________ No truck :-(

03-07-2003, 08:13 AM	#13
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	When they aren't frozen up. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

03-10-2003, 11:03 AM	#14
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	All the parts are still available. __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick



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