Hate to sound like a newb, but I got a potential brake job

CandiMan · 01-06-2006, 12:50 PM

As you can see, I've been around for a short period and I have a few post under my belt. So bare with me, I'm not a newb just signing up to post one thread and leave. Here's the deal, as stated I have a potential 4 wheel brake job on a 99 4x4 Blazer. I'm curious to know what type of rotors are on the front, are they floating or non-floating rotors. How about the ball joints, is it hard to remove since it has a torsion bar set-up? And can the pitman arm wear?

I have a co-worker who took his 99 Blazer to a auto shop for a all around brake job and was quoted a rediculous price for parts and labor. This is where I step in to give him a better price for my labor. The reason I asked if the pitman arm can wear because they said it was worn and needed replacement. If memory serves me correct, aren't the pitman arms a non-wearing piece of metal, with no moving parts to it?

Powerman · 01-18-2006, 10:06 PM

Floating or Non floating rotor? Huh? Didn't know there was those two types. Anyways, go to a parts store, they will give you what you need. Anyways it's a 4wd so the rotors just slide on over the lugnuts, easy as pie. Does a 99 have 4 wheel disks? Front disk brakes are easy as pie, any retard can do them. As far as rear drums if they are drums, I think there just as easy but if ya don't have experience with drum brakes it will be a bit of a pita. I've never changed the ball joints on one of these, and am not sure of any special things on a torsion bar suspension. And yes I'm with you, thinkin the pitman arm, shop was trying to make some money.

CandiMan · 01-18-2006, 10:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Powerman

Floating or Non floating rotor? Huh? Didn't know there was those two types. Anyways, go to a parts store, they will give you what you need. Anyways it's a 4wd so the rotors just slide on over the lugnuts, easy as pie. Does a 99 have 4 wheel disks? Front disk brakes are easy as pie, any retard can do them. As far as rear drums if they are drums, I think there just as easy but if ya don't have experience with drum brakes it will be a bit of a pita. I've never changed the ball joints on one of these, and am not sure of any special things on a torsion bar suspension. And yes I'm with you, thinkin the pitman arm, shop was trying to make some money.

Thanks for the input, I did the brake job two weekends ago and everything went fawless. Since I've never done a new Blazer I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, and yes it's 4-wheel disc. Surprisingly the pitman arm was worn, at the end of the pitman arm where it attaches to the center link it has a ball and tie rod set-up. He does have a few other suspension components that was worn, ball joints and inner tie-rods, so I'll be quoting him a price on doing that work.

Vsandme · 01-19-2006, 10:45 AM

w3rd...the only pain with the 4wheel disk blazers/jimmy/bravada is the double piston fronts...and that it self isnt anything...

Vsandme · 01-19-2006, 10:46 AM

oh and by floating rotor, you meant floating caliper correct? :-)

CandiMan · 01-19-2006, 10:59 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Vsandme

oh and by floating rotor, you meant floating caliper correct? :-)

Correct

Any info on what it takes to pull the steering box. It looks as if once everything is removed out the way it should unbolt like any other steering box. How about the ball joints, should I treat the torsion bars just like coil springs and jack up the front end under the lower control arm in order to support the weight.

01-06-2006, 12:50 PM	#1
CandiMan Registered User Age: 38 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 569 Location: Charlotte, NC User is: OffLine	Hate to sound like a newb, but I got a potential brake job As you can see, I've been around for a short period and I have a few post under my belt. So bare with me, I'm not a newb just signing up to post one thread and leave. Here's the deal, as stated I have a potential 4 wheel brake job on a 99 4x4 Blazer. I'm curious to know what type of rotors are on the front, are they floating or non-floating rotors. How about the ball joints, is it hard to remove since it has a torsion bar set-up? And can the pitman arm wear? I have a co-worker who took his 99 Blazer to a auto shop for a all around brake job and was quoted a rediculous price for parts and labor. This is where I step in to give him a better price for my labor. The reason I asked if the pitman arm can wear because they said it was worn and needed replacement. If memory serves me correct, aren't the pitman arms a non-wearing piece of metal, with no moving parts to it?
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-18-2006, 10:06 PM	#2
Powerman Function Over Form Age: 21 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 226 Location: Escanaba,Mi User is: OffLine	Re: Hate to sound like a newb, but I got a potential brake job Floating or Non floating rotor? Huh? Didn't know there was those two types. Anyways, go to a parts store, they will give you what you need. Anyways it's a 4wd so the rotors just slide on over the lugnuts, easy as pie. Does a 99 have 4 wheel disks? Front disk brakes are easy as pie, any retard can do them. As far as rear drums if they are drums, I think there just as easy but if ya don't have experience with drum brakes it will be a bit of a pita. I've never changed the ball joints on one of these, and am not sure of any special things on a torsion bar suspension. And yes I'm with you, thinkin the pitman arm, shop was trying to make some money.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-18-2006, 10:25 PM	#3
CandiMan Registered User Age: 38 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 569 Location: Charlotte, NC User is: OffLine	Re: Hate to sound like a newb, but I got a potential brake job Quote: Originally Posted by Powerman Floating or Non floating rotor? Huh? Didn't know there was those two types. Anyways, go to a parts store, they will give you what you need. Anyways it's a 4wd so the rotors just slide on over the lugnuts, easy as pie. Does a 99 have 4 wheel disks? Front disk brakes are easy as pie, any retard can do them. As far as rear drums if they are drums, I think there just as easy but if ya don't have experience with drum brakes it will be a bit of a pita. I've never changed the ball joints on one of these, and am not sure of any special things on a torsion bar suspension. And yes I'm with you, thinkin the pitman arm, shop was trying to make some money. Thanks for the input, I did the brake job two weekends ago and everything went fawless. Since I've never done a new Blazer I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, and yes it's 4-wheel disc. Surprisingly the pitman arm was worn, at the end of the pitman arm where it attaches to the center link it has a ball and tie rod set-up. He does have a few other suspension components that was worn, ball joints and inner tie-rods, so I'll be quoting him a price on doing that work.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-19-2006, 10:45 AM	#4
Vsandme Registered User Age: 22 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 316 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Hate to sound like a newb, but I got a potential brake job w3rd...the only pain with the 4wheel disk blazers/jimmy/bravada is the double piston fronts...and that it self isnt anything...
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01-19-2006, 10:46 AM	#5
Vsandme Registered User Age: 22 Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 316 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Hate to sound like a newb, but I got a potential brake job oh and by floating rotor, you meant floating caliper correct? :-)
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01-19-2006, 10:59 AM	#6
CandiMan Registered User Age: 38 Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 569 Location: Charlotte, NC User is: OffLine	Re: Hate to sound like a newb, but I got a potential brake job Quote: Originally Posted by Vsandme oh and by floating rotor, you meant floating caliper correct? :-) Correct Any info on what it takes to pull the steering box. It looks as if once everything is removed out the way it should unbolt like any other steering box. How about the ball joints, should I treat the torsion bars just like coil springs and jack up the front end under the lower control arm in order to support the weight. Last edited by CandiMan : 01-19-2006 at 11:05 AM.
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