Rocket Man's 02 Denali Build Thread AKA "THE BEAST"

[HiHoeSilver]

Thanks. The 2 piece is a good idea but that particular part does not have the caliper mount. Is there another piece needed to mount the caliper or do you still have to pull the shafts to put the caliper mount on?

Its just the dust shield. The caliper bracket does not require the axle to come out. Rock auto has both the dorman 2 piece and the delco original.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I did the 2-piece Dorman ones a couple years ago, seemed about the same thickness as the factory ones I took off. But....since I will be there I just decided to order genuine AC oDelco ones. Thanks @HiHoeSilver fkr for helping me spend more money lol.

It's my yob.

 

[Rocket Man]

Thanks. The 2 piece is a good idea but that particular part does not have the caliper mount. Is there another piece needed to mount the caliper or do you still have to pull the shafts to put the caliper mount on?

This is the dust shield that GM also calls the backing plate. It mounts between the caliper backing plate and the axle housing. The part that the caliper mounts to is the thick aluminum backing plate and you need to pull the axle to install that. That’s what I did when I converted from drum to disc brakes on my Silverado. I don’t remember where I got the p/n for those brackets/ backing plates because I don’t see them listed in the parts drawings. I got the numbers off a forum.

Edit: I found the part, it’s called the parking brake backing plate and it in the parking brake parts blowup. https://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/...ke_assembly,,1c44a5a99fa6d8b33f8f6c340cba99a9

 

[Dantheman1540]

This is the dust shield that GM also calls the backing plate. It mounts between the caliper backing plate and the axle housing. The part that the caliper mounts to is the thick aluminum backing plate and you need to pull the axle to install that. That’s what I did when I converted from drum to disc brakes on my Silverado. I don’t remember where I got the p/n for those brackets/ backing plates because I don’t see them listed in the parts drawings. I got the numbers off a forum.

Edit: I found the part, it’s called the parking brake backing plate and it in the parking brake parts blowup. https://www.gmpartsgiant.com/parts/...ke_assembly,,1c44a5a99fa6d8b33f8f6c340cba99a9

Ok, that's what I thought. I was hoping for an option to put the caliper backing plate and heat shield on without pulling the shafts. C clips can be a real pain in the *****.

 

[Rocket Man]

I got the bearings and seals in today. Still need to reinstall the brakes, girdle and sway bar, then refill the diff. Here’s some pics for those interested in doing theirs. After putting it on jack stands and pulling the wheels I noticed his grungy it is again after last Winter so I will be pressure washing when I’m done. The girdle has a drain so that was nice. The magnet had a tiny bit of fine metal but nothing to be concerned with. The gears all look great.

 

[Rocket Man]

Next I pulled the calipers and rotors. Then the pin in the pumpkin that keeps the axles pushed to the outside. First rotate the driveline (trans in neutral) until the 8mm bolt and pin are accessible, pull thd 8mm bolt that secures the pin, and remove the pin. Then push in on an axle and remove the c-clip inside the pumpkin. A good pen magnet helps. Then the axle slides out. At that point I used a slide hammer and bearing removal tool to remove the bearing and seal, both at once. These bearings have 170k on them snd look like new.

 

[Rocket Man]

I used a bearing/seal installation tool and a bfh to install the bearings and seals. Just make sure they go in square to the axle so they don’t get bound up. I pulled the parking brakes and heavy backing plates so I could replace the 2-piece dust shields with the AC Delco 1-piece ones. They’re a bit heavier and a larger diameter. I figured since it’s all apart I would install the OEM ones. That’s about it. I just have to finish up tomorrow. If anybody wants a good video, 1AAuto has one that covers this.

 

[George B]

Nice work!

 

[Dantheman1540]

Nice work! Did you ever do any internal axle work? Re-gear or different traction device? Looks like a G80 still.

 

[Rocket Man]

Nice work! Did you ever do any internal axle work? Re-gear or different traction device? Looks like a G80 still.

No, never messed with it. Just installed a girdle to add strength to the bearing caps.