Why did Chevrolet go back to drum brakes on the rear of new trucks?

[bandera]

My 2000 Silverado Z-71 has disc brakes all way around. A frind of mine just bought a 2012 Silverado (1500) and we noticed it has drum brakes on the rear. He couldn't believe they would take a step backwards in technology. Anybody know why they did this ?

[brainpause]

Because drum brakes work just fine.

[RyanbabZ71]

They did this back in 2005. it isnt something new

 

You can get 4 wheel disc on the GMT-900's. You just have to go with the 6.2L engine

[therapy]

Probably because it's cheaper. It doesn't make much difference to me since I'm rarely towing anything and my 07 has had no brake issues, but who knows.

 

Probably because it's cheaper. It doesn't make much difference to me since I'm rarely towing anything and my 07 has had no brake issues, but who knows.

[DaveH71]

Drums are cheaper and stop just as good during most everyday situations. Most of the braking force is done up front anyway. Also gm had a problem with the rear discs rusting out. I have discs on my 2011 but i just prefer them, there is no real performance difference except when towing heavy loads.

[Carder09]

I've had no problem with my drums, wait I take that back since I had one side worked on and now it makes an odd noise per revolution of the tire. But in all they are great.

[txab]

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=144526&pid=1258612&st=0&&do=findComment&comment=1258612

[kstruckcountry]

Drums are more reliable, and I've noticed they're much less affected by mud.

[00Silverado4x4]

^^^And boy has mine seen plenty of that along with sand, gravel, snow, hail,....so on and so forth. I can't complain about my rear drums.

[dirtfan21]

I hated the rear discs on my 2000. The dust sheilds rotted off, toasted the back rotors, and I think I did rear brake pads twice on that truck in like 50k miles. I'll take my drums anyday.

[bandera]

Well then, how does Ford & Dodge manage to make them with out that problem ?

[Big Whiskey]

I would say cost is the biggest factor. Drums are cheaper.

[Mojavered]

Had discs all the way around on my 03. 78K miles and not a problem. Still ~75% when sold. 05' 2WD Silverado work truck, disc in front drum in rear, had brakes changed out @ 23K miles, then again with less than 50K. 06 Sierra, disc up front and drum rear, had to change brakes all the way around @ 39K. I prefer the disc in rear. My 11' has disc all the way around, but only have 7500 miles. No comment yet.

[CKNSLS]

I tow with my 5.3 Silverado 1500. Whatever is the perceived inferiority of the rear drums is more than made up for with the tow-haul mode and the way the 6 speed will downshift when the brakes are applied. Also, you can always use the manual downshift capability of the transmission as well.

 

Of course, it's really the brakes on the trailer working with the truck mounted brake controller that is really supposed to stop the trailer.

[Z45]

95% of the problems with rear disc brakes was in the rust belt states. The rear rotors and associated parts rusted up from all the road salt used in the winter. My 2001 GMC had the rear rotors rust up and then eat up the pads. One day I was driving and heard a terrible grinding noise. Stopped at the dealer and without even looking, they said "rear brakes" and it was. Had to have new rotors and pads on the rear by 25,000 miles, about 1.5 yrs and the parts were very expensive due to the rear e-brake setup. Any truck with rear disc and over a year old had a good chance the brakes were in bad shape.