Another GM Performance Brake Job

[BacDoc]

The front GM/Brembo performance brake kit that I ordered a week ago is in the parts department at the dealership that will do the install.
Before I make the appointment for installation is there anything else that I should get or be aware of?

I know the package has the components but is it worth changing anything else?
Are the pads that come with it the best option?
How about brake lines? Worth upgrading?

Appreciate any input from the guys who know about brakes or have had the job done.

 

[ReaperHWK]

Keep us updated for sure. I am also considering.

Any reason you didn’t get the matching rear set?

Also, as far as I’m aware the factory option is the same kit so they did not need new brake lines or anything else. You just need the kit and the brake module program and you’re good to go.

 

[Stbentoak]

I'd at least run them the way they came before deciding whether the product needs an upgrade or not. You might as well get the money out of what you already paid for. That's the way I look at tires etcetera, even though I know there are better ones out there.

 

[BacDoc]

I didn’t go with the rear because I read that the rear is same as stock except for the painted calipers and decals.
The front is a big upgrade in size and components.

 

[ReaperHWK]

I didn’t go with the rear because I read that the rear is same as stock except for the painted calipers and decals.
The front is a big upgrade in size and components.

Makes sense performance wise.

You going to paint the rears red to match?

 

[BacDoc]

I would like to do that and probably when I change out the wheels.

I love my 2024 High Country and the only weak points are the brakes and the wheels.
The wheels are actually nice quality but too shiny for my taste and they are over done with the satin and polished surfaces that don’t allow much view of the calipers and rotors.

Originally I was thinking of going to 20” wheel with more tire sidewall as I was assuming the lower profile tires would not ride as well but the lower profile tire even with the $hitty Allenza tires rides very well and corners amazingly for a big land yacht like these GM beasts.

On a side note for any fans of the show “Landman” the latest episode has the caravan of black Escalades and Tahoes leaving the private oil company jet and the road and drone footage of these beautiful SUVs traveling through Texas countryside is awesome!

 

[Stbentoak]

I would like to do that and probably when I change out the wheels.

I love my 2024 High Country and the only weak points are the brakes and the wheels.
The wheels are actually nice quality but too shiny for my taste and they are over done with the satin and polished surfaces that don’t allow much view of the calipers and rotors.

Originally I was thinking of going to 20” wheel with more tire sidewall as I was assuming the lower profile tires would not ride as well but the lower profile tire even with the $hitty Allenza tires rides very well and corners amazingly for a big land yacht like these GM beasts.

On a side note for any fans of the show “Landman” the latest episode has the caravan of black Escalades and Tahoes leaving the private oil company jet and the road and drone footage of these beautiful SUVs traveling through Texas countryside is awesome!

Powder coat your rims with any color and gloss you want. For about 100 bucks apiece. Problem solved.

 

[CCPLuvr]

I'd like to hear your before and after impressions of the Brembos. You'd think those large rotors and 6 piston calipers would make the brakes more responsive.
We came from a 23 Explorer ST with a great set of brakes.

 

[BacDoc]

I'd like to hear your before and after impressions of the Brembos. You'd think those large rotors and 6 piston calipers would make the brakes more responsive.
We came from a 23 Explorer ST with a great set of brakes.

The 2024 Tahoe I have is a High Country but I think all Tahoe/Yukon models have the same brake system.
It’s adequate but definitely not up to the quality of the other components such as transmission, motor, suspension etc.
The only other “weak” component is maybe the audio system, just like the brakes it works but definitely not up to the standard of high end luxury SUV.

I will get the brakes installed in the next few days and give a report on what I experience in normal driving and towing.
I tow a 25’ center console boat on a double axle trailer around once a week.
The boat/trailer weighs around 6,500lbs and I am mostly on flat highway but sometimes tow over large bridges.
Most driving is light traffic but towing a 6,500lb load going downhill on a bridge a good test of brake performance.

 

[tom3]

I would probably change the rear pads to match the front pads material. Modern braking systems do a lot with balancing front to rear and some stuff with auto braking.

 

[BacDoc]

Just got the brakes installed today so my initial impressions:

First I have to say I have always been impressed with my local Chevy dealership. They did the installation after I had the front performance brake kit shipped to the dealership from the GM app.
I got 2 discount codes from the app and it made the whole front brake kit just over $2k, list price is $2800.00.

The dealership charged me $327. for the install and this included brake fluid.
Thought that was a fair price as this was not a 2 - 3 hour

job.

I dropped my Tahoe off around 10 am and it was ready around 3:30pm. I also had oil change and tire rotation.

Driving home (only about 7 miles) is not enough to notice much difference but the feel is noticeable like driving a new car.
Just going easy for the first few miles but the pedal travel is reduced and solid, you can tell there’s a lot left when coming to a stop.
The good news is no noises or squeaks and the brakes feel like they have great modulation and nice firm pedal feel.

The only downside is my high country wheels don’t have much of a visual of these beautiful calipers.
New wheels are the next upgrade.

They also provide an insert for the performance brakes.

 

[ReaperHWK]

Wow. $3xx for that in labor is a steal. I was thinking it would be $1000+ easy.

Glad you like them, this is on my list as well. Thanks for reporting back.

Also I read that the brake package includes install instructions, was that correct? And the dealer needed to reprogram the brake module?

 

[Stbentoak]

The big thing was having the dealer install it is that your brake wear monitor is functioning. I think there is something that has to be done at the dealership that you can't do on your own, otherwise you don't get the wear percentages on your DIC.
After having my dealer install mine, They appeared just like factory brakes on the DIC.

 

[BacDoc]

I didn’t get to look at the box as I had it sent to the dealership parts department as the shipping was free. There was a charge for delivery to a home address.
Package weighs about 100 lbs according to the app description.
The only paperwork I got is that owner manual insert about the brakes and changing out a flat as the spare won’t clear the caliper.

I was expecting around $600 for the install as I read somewhere about the shop charges for labor allowed 5 hours.

The install involved changing out brake fluid, bleeding the brakes and some programming.
$327 for all that seemed like a deal.

I have no affiliation with the dealer besides being a customer but they always do good work and fair pricing.

The oil change with 8 qts of 0-40W, filter and tire rotation for just over $100 seems reasonable.
Feel pretty lucky having a local dealership like this after hearing some horror stories about dealer service on this forum.

 

[ReaperHWK]

I didn’t get to look at the box as I had it sent to the dealership parts department as the shipping was free. There was a charge for delivery to a home address.
Package weighs about 100 lbs according to the app description.
The only paperwork I got is that owner manual insert about the brakes and changing out a flat as the spare won’t clear the caliper.

I was expecting around $600 for the install as I read somewhere about the shop charges for labor allowed 5 hours.

The install involved changing out brake fluid, bleeding the brakes and some programming.
$327 for all that seemed like a deal.

I have no affiliation with the dealer besides being a customer but they always do good work and fair pricing.

The oil change with 8 qts of 0-40W, filter and tire rotation for just over $100 seems reasonable.
Feel pretty lucky having a local dealership like this after hearing some horror stories about dealer service on this forum.

Yeah man if they did a good job you got a steal of a price on parts and labor!

 

[BacDoc]

I was considering getting the wheels powder coated but ended up getting a set of fusion forged Fuel wheels in a black/bronze finish.
Think they are better than cast aluminum and lighter.
Certainly looks a lot better than the glossy polished/painted stock High Country wheels in my opinion and now I can see the Brembo calipers.

 

[ReaperHWK]

I was considering getting the wheels powder coated but ended up getting a set of fusion forged Fuel wheels in a black/bronze finish.
Think they are better than cast aluminum and lighter.
Certainly looks a lot better than the glossy polished/painted stock High Country wheels in my opinion and now I can see the Brembo calipers.View attachment 477770View attachment 477771View attachment 477773

Love it. Im not generally a white car guy but black is the best color wheels on white. And those red calipers really pop now. Awesome truck!

 

[BacDoc]

Love it. Im not generally a white car guy but black is the best color wheels on white. And those red calipers really pop now. Awesome truck!

Thanks!

Here in Florida the lighter colors work best for maintenance and heat dissipation.
In 2024 there was a metallic green color option but when I was searching for Tahoe with the options I wanted it wasn’t available.
Here the pearl iridescent white is a good option and the resale value is very good with this color.
Also at the end of the day after fishing offshore and my truck is sitting in the ramp parking lot all day in the sun it’s better to have light color for that solar radiation

 

[CMoore711]

Looks good @BacDoc! Great choice on the rims!

 

[ReaperHWK]

@BacDoc hows the brake dust? Is it crazy compared to the standard brakes?