I took my 3500 Dually in for some maintenance and after 65,000 miles, the brake pads (original) still have plenty of material left. I've never seen pads last this long, but I've heard from others that this is not too unusual.


However, the rotors have worn considerably and need to be replaced (not enough material to turn them down and stay in spec. So, I gave the go ahead to replace the rotors--that's when sticker shock hit! The front ones cost about $150 a piece and the rear ones are more than $400 from the dealer!!!


My question is: Has anybody found less expensive, quality rotors for a 2002 Duramax Dually?

Are you getting pulsation when on the brakes? If not, why are you replacing them?

Beefheart- I hear ya. I had a sticky caliper in the rear that ended up being metal on metal and had to replace a rotor. Was quoted $90 Can for one size and $300 Can for the other size. Wasn't sure which one i needed as i was told it could have been either. I took both and you can only imagine which one i needed.......ya the $300 Can one.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Angry.gif


The only difference between the two from a visual was the opening for the axle hub is a c hair bigger on the expensive one. I was tempted to use the cheaper and just mill the hub dia. opening down, but then slapped myself in the face and just got the job done.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif


I ended up getting the rotor for $250 Can and pads for both sides of the rear for $90$ Can through a tech friend at his cost. Will have to take out a loan to do all 4 corners in the future.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cry.gif

heartbeat: I know exactly what you mean, when I took my truck in for preventive maintenance, I thought I was going in for a quick brake pad refresh and now I'm staring at a hefty bill. I'm very impressed with the brake pads and very unimpressed with the rotors.


White Duramax: Yes, the brakes are pulsating and I do a lot of trailering so I wanted to have a good set of brakes before my next trip. The pads have enough material left that I don't really need to replace them, but the rotors need to be turned down to get rid of the pulsation, but there just won't be enough material left after turning them down to be within spec.


The good news is that since I posted this, I have been doing some searching on the net and found a place in California called Tom's Truck Center (888 661-6455). The guy I talked to was very helpful and they seem to have a very good inventory. I was quoted $275 for the rear rotors for brand-new, original GM parts that can ship tomorrow.


Thanks for the replies!

For that price, you might as well call brembo or baer and see if they make anything.

Rotor prices for these trucks are ugly. A few months before I upgraded my 1500 to my D-max I took it to a Car-X for brakes. 4 rotors and pads around around $1200. Went to auto zone ordered the parts up myself and did them the following saturday for around $500. Still pricey for brakes, but sheesh $1200 quote for pads and rotors?

I see, ya they are not cheap. I have almost 82,000 on mine with all original rotors and pads, and they are still in pretty decent shape. Very, very little pulsation. I think the will easily go over 100,000 miles. I would make sure you take some sandpaper and sand the pads down a little to make sure they are even since you are re-using them.

Using old pads on New Rotors is like changing your clothes, but still wearing your sh*tty underwear.http://dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Disapprove.gif The pads could develop hard spots, which will transfer to your new rotors. Do it right! Get new pads!

Silveradogs,


I agree and I'm definitely changing out the pads. I re-read my post and realize it sounded like I was keeping the old pads. I was just commenting on the fact that if all things were equal, there would be no need to change the pads due to the amount of material remaining.

I think it was about 5 years ago that GM quit installing Bendix pads on their vehicles and changed over to Raybestos, Iv always use their PG-Plus line of pads and they wear like iron, the only thing you need to watch out for when buying rotors, is to make sure and buy good quality ones, and try and stay away from the cheap made in Taiwan and Mexico ones, because they tend to always warp from heat build up.

It would be better in my opinion to install softer pads next time and use the pads and save the rotors. It just makes for a little shorter service times, but pads are cheap.

Go to the Corvetteforum.com and get the number for Fictner Chevrolet. They sell GM parts at very good prices. i use them for all my corvette parts. Vette rotors cost $60 each which is way below a normal dealer ripoff pricing.


They are also very good on extended warranties. Tell them a Corvette forum member sent you.

Keep in mind, the pads on the truck are nearly dustless. This is the cleanest running truck, as far as brake dust, I have ever owned. I imagine the pads are a bit stiffer, and will cause rotor wear. Why not check out some of the after market rotors? I had cross drilled ones on my 88 Gasser, and was very pleased with the stopping and fade resistance. Also no warpage!