2001 rear brakes jamming?

[WickedEdges]

Hey everyone, first post, but long time reader. I have a 2001 Sierra 1500 that I recently took in for a brake inspection after hearing squeeking for a couple days. Now I've discovered the rear right side brakes are jamming and are metal to metal with the discs. The guy said that this year is notorious for doing this and that GMC changed to drum brakes in the rear the next year after my model. Is this correct? I want to make sure I'm not getting ripped off before making a $700 mistake.

 

[Molson02536]

Hey everyone, first post, but long time reader. I have a 2001 Sierra 1500 that I recently took in for a brake inspection after hearing squeeking for a couple days. Now I've discovered the rear right side brakes are jamming and are metal to metal with the discs. The guy said that this year is notorious for doing this and that GMC changed to drum brakes in the rear the next year after my model. Is this correct? I want to make sure I'm not getting ripped off before making a $700 mistake.

Call around to have your rear brake pads and rotors replaced. The rotors are not that expensive and if your rotors are not that bad they might be able to resurface them to save you some money.

The issues that causes this is the brake calipers jam up causing the pads to always drag on the rotor. For the most part a good practice is to put full brake application before placing the Sierra in gear when leaving a parking spot once a day.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Z15]

The guy said that this year is notorious for doing this and that GMC changed to drum brakes in the rear the next year after my model. Is this correct?

No, it was not until 2005 model year that they switched to rear drums. My 2004 Sierra SLT Z71 E. Cab had rear disc brakes and they are still in use on the 1/2 tons with MAX Trailering Package

2011 Option

NHT Max Trailering Pack, includes (L9H) Vortec 6.2L V8 SFI engine,
(G80) heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential, (Z85)
Handling/Trailering Suspension Package, (AXN) 9.5" (24.1 cm)
hybrid rear axle, (GT4) 3.73 rear axle ratio, (JD9) front and rear
disc brakes, (Z82) Trailering package, (T96) fog lamps, (N88) 17"
x 7.5" (43.2 cm x 19.1 cm) 6-lug polished cast aluminum wheels
and (QJP) P265/70R17 on-/off-road, blackwall tires
1 - Requires T*10753 or T*10543 models. TK10543 and TK10753
Models also include (NQH) electronic Autotrac transfer case.
Option content within this package may not be substituted or
deleted. Not available with (Z71) Off-Road Suspension Package.

 

[zippodcr]

I've had that problem every couple years on my '01 2500HD - the caliper should slide back and forth on the mount bracket, but after some time the slides on the bracket get rusty under the stainless guides, and the rust swells out the little stainless guides until they jam, restricting the caliper and dragging the pad on the rotor. Now every time I do a brake job I have to take off the bracket that holds the caliper in place, use a dremel to clear off the rust and smear anti-seize on it, then put the new stainless guides over that, then re-assemble. I suppose I should just blast them and paint with something... it's a real pain when you live in the rust-belt...