Aluminum / XFE NNBS Front Suspension Rebuild

[petethepug]

Mmnn Crow. Got the ultimate humiliation and had to eat crow today. If I google 2001 s10 rear brake conversion, this comes up

1982-92 Chevrolet GMC S10 S15 Rear Disc Brake Conversion With Standard

1982-92 Chevrolet GMC S10 S15 Rear Disc Brake Conversion With Standard Rotors With Parking Brake

www.inlinetube.com

How the hell did I miss the part about 1982-1992 s10 conversion? Anyone wanna buy a discounted rear disc brake conversion for their S10, s15 or blazer?

 

[iamdub]

Mmnn Crow. Got the ultimate humiliation and had to eat crow today. If I google 2001 s10 rear brake conversion, this comes up

1982-92 Chevrolet GMC S10 S15 Rear Disc Brake Conversion With Standard

1982-92 Chevrolet GMC S10 S15 Rear Disc Brake Conversion With Standard Rotors With Parking Brake

www.inlinetube.com

How the hell did I miss the part about 1982-1992 s10 conversion? Anyone wanna buy a discounted rear disc brake conversion for their S10, s15 or blazer?

When I converted my 2002 to rear discs, I just got the setup off of a Blazer. Direct bolt-on and the abutment brackets just needed a little shimming with some Grade 8 washers. I also deleted the proportioning valve and ran the lines straight into the master cylinder, Later on, I replaced the MC with one for a Blazer.

 

[petethepug]

I had read about that. I gave my Indi the green light to research what other options are out there because I obviously have too much on my plate right now. These guys are crafty on their own project so I’m sure their probably looking into the blazer swap. If not, I’ll let ‘em know it’s a thing.

 

[iamdub]

I had read about that. I gave my Indi the green light to research what other options are out there because I obviously have too much on my plate right now. These guys are crafty on their own project so I’m sure their probably looking into the blazer swap. If not, I’ll let ‘em know it’s a thing.

The only drawback is that you have to pull the axles to swap the backing plates. Considering the cost of the bolt-on kit versus the parts from a salvage yard or even parts store, I wouldn't consider it such a drawback. The diff fluid might need to be changed, anyway. May as well replace the outer axle bearings and seals while it's apart if those are original or leaking.

 

[petethepug]

Yea, it’s apart already. I’ve never made a boneheaded move like this before. Truck is in the shop with the rear end zip tied just to move it around.

 

[KidWgn]

Ahhhhh. The joys of modifying from original blueprint.

A wise man here at Boeing once told me:
The amount strayed from factory design is directly proportionate to the amount of time spent on jackstands.

My "fast" 04 Forester proved his theory correct.

 

[petethepug]

One down, two to go. The Esky goes in next for its aluminum suspension. The s10 got its conversion with the rear discs supplied by the rears from an ‘82 Caddy Seville. Yea, bustle back disc brakes baby.

It’s a 200% improvement over the OE drums. The Indy rebuilt the leaf springs, installed new shackles, bushings, hardware and feels like new shocks. It got its diff serviced and now good for another 23 years.

The anemic 15x7 OEM rims with their FOUR inch backspacing were replaced with these OEM 16x8 s15 Sonoma Hollander Reps with 235/60z tires. It got an extra inch of rubber under each corner and the tire almost 2” closer to the fender edge.

 

[992dr]

Sorry if I missed it but my 07 PPV has aluminum lowers, steel spindle and steel uppers.
Will the aluminum upper and spindles just bolt right up?

 

[petethepug]

Nope, won’t bolt up. Essentially:

Alum UCA = Alum Knuckles
Steel UCA = Steel Knucks

If your truck has steel Upper Control Arms it has steel knuckles. You’d have to swap in a set of aluminum knuckles to use alum UCA.

GM set it up so only the lower control arms can be swapped from aluminum to steel, or vis versa if your truck has steel knuckles.

Lastly, aluminum knucks need 2015-2020 tie rod ends and steel knucks use the 07-14 tie rod ends. Just to make it more confusing the 07-14 ZR1 package with both alum LCA & UCA have alum knucks from the factory with 2015+ style tie rod ends and use the typical hydraulic rack @ pinion steering set up.

What are 2015+ tie rod ends? They’re the tie rods ends with a different taper used on the 09-13 Hybrid versions of our trucks equipped from the factory with fully electric steering racks. All 2015+ trucks now have electric steering racks.

The 07-14 tie rod ends made for steel knuckles and the 15+ tie rod ends are interchangeable between the 07-14 hydraulic rack & pinion and 15-20 fully electric steering racks.

Yes, the aluminum upper control arms / UCA fit your ‘16 Yuke as long as it is fitted with aluminum knuckles or already had aluminum UCA ….

To run aluminum UCA on a truck not equipped with them you’ll need to swap the existing steel knuckles to the aluminum version. That’s what I’m doing on my ‘09 Esky

The aluminum lower control arms / LCA are interchangeable with steel on Gen 4 / 07-14 / NNBS and Gen 5 / 15-20 whether the truck has aluminum or steel knuckles.

 

[992dr]

Nope, won’t bolt up. Essentially:

Alum UCA = Alum Knuckles
Steel UCA = Steel Knucks

If your truck has steel Upper Control Arms it has steel knuckles. You’d have to swap in a set of aluminum knuckles to use alum UCA.

GM set it up so only the lower control arms can be swapped from aluminum to steel, or vis versa if your truck has steel knuckles.

Lastly, aluminum knucks need 2015-2020 tie rod ends and steel knucks use the 07-14 tie rod ends. Just to make it more confusing the 07-14 ZR1 package with both alum LCA & UCA have alum knucks from the factory with 2015+ style tie rod ends and use the typical hydraulic rack @ pinion steering set up.

What are 2015+ tie rod ends? They’re the tie rods ends with a different taper used on the 09-13 Hybrid versions of our trucks equipped from the factory with fully electric steering racks. All 2015+ trucks now have electric steering racks.

The 07-14 tie rod ends made for steel knuckles and the 15+ tie rod ends are interchangeable between the 07-14 hydraulic rack & pinion and 15-20 fully electric steering racks.

Thanks for the quick reply and explanation, I appreciate it.

 

[992dr]

Got mine today
I am absolutely amazed at the weight difference between the two.

On the hunt for some 09-13 Hybrid or 15+ tie rod ends now.

 

[petethepug]

The factory 22” rims & tires are about 88lb ea. Figured taking some of the mass off each corner could do nothing but help the poor 285/45/22 tires taking the load.

 

[992dr]

The weight savings from the suspension components will definitely help. I'm hoping for the same results. I'll be getting a package today to see

Random question. Are the inner tie rods the same and the outer ones are different between the 07/14 & the 15 +?
I'm only asking because I was planning on making some clevis tie-rods in replacement of the factory style.

 

[petethepug]

Inner tie rods on the OEM hydraulic rack are unchanged.

Fortunately GM only changed the outter tie rod pitch of the taper that fits into the aluminum knuckles. All other components are unchanged from OEM.

Left & Right 2015 style outer tie rod ends use same part # on alum knucks (ES800948) for MOOG anyway.

 

[992dr]

Inner tie rods on the OEM hydraulic rack are unchanged.

Fortunately GM only changed the outter tie rod pitch of the taper that fits into the aluminum knuckles. All other components are unchanged from OEM.

View attachment 437392

Left & Right 2015 style outer tie rod ends use same part # on alum knucks (ES800948) for MOOG anyway.

View attachment 437393

Thanks again my friend

 

[mikez71]

do the 2015+ knuckes work?

Figure the balljoint/tierods should connect, and a arm dimensions same..

Did they change some other dimensions? (hub offset, steering arm length, brake mount, ?)

 

[TwistedQJ]

I completely read through this thread and I think I’m good I just want to confirm before I order. I currently have a 2010 that has the steel LCA. Will the aluminum LCA from say a 15-2018 Yukon/sierra/silverado etc fit? Reason for those years is that Mevotech has an aluminum arm with their TTX ball joints.

 

[petethepug]

2007-2014 & 2015-2019 or also known as NNBS & K2XX full size SUV use the same aluminum knuckles when the factory equipped them with Alum UCA / upper control arms.

Alum Knuckle part #’s for both NNBS & K2XX
P # 22842315
P # 22842314

* When equipped with Alum UCA only Alum knuckles can be used.

* When equipped with Steel UCA only Steel knuckles can be used.

* For Lower Control Arms (LCA) both Alum AND Steel Knuckles fit BOTH Steel or Alum Knuckles.

 

[petethepug]

Yes, Both Alum & Steel Knuckles accept BOTH Alum & Steel LCA.

It’s the UCA that have to be the same type of metal.

I currently have a 2010 that has the steel LCA. Will the aluminum LCA from say a 15-2018 Yukon/sierra/silverado etc fit?

 

[TwistedQJ]

Well I guess I screwed up and got the wrong lowers. Ball joint are too big to fit into my drop spindles. I guess I can either sell or try and send these back or order some drop spindles that will work.