Gotta love New England😂. My knees and back are hurting just watching this video. Thankfully I built a garage with a lift two years ago and I rope my kids into doing some of the work. I replaced many of those wheel bearings when working for GM.
Lifts make everything SO much easier. I did a full front suspension rebuild, and brakes with calipers and rubber hoses on all 4 corners on a friends truck. Did it on jack stands. Job took about 7 hours. I walked funny for a week after that.
You must be having the sympathy pains, it was kicking my but though. I was planning on a garage and I’ve put it off for a while, although just having my tools on the same floor as the vehicle would be nice. I keep everything in my basement so I have a long walk to get what I need.
I have a lift at work I will use when I can. I was hoping it would have gone easier though. I didn’t mind bending down a few years ago and in the last few years after using the lift at work I’m rapidly losing interest in it. I’ve been outside changing the ball joints in the black truck I built. That thing will just never be done.
Oh yeah...that moment breaking free a rusted bolt, socket slips, and your skin falls victim to the nastiest cut!! Oh you stayed calm...better than me! Good work brother
Thank you. You know how sometimes things change so slowly you don’t notice until one day it’s so different you notice it? I used to be a pretty angry person and over the years I’ve prayed for help with it. I’m guessing it’s been such a slow transition that I just realized how far I’ve come from where I started.
I wonder what went wrong with the sandblaster. Maybe a video on how you repaired that tool. As for the brake piston retractor tool. I think ratchet type is the way to go because caliper pistons need some strong push, and a ratchet style tool allows me to supply the strong push needed. The hand click type requires hand strength, ugh. Maybe warranty the tool you got or like you said use that tool with new pads. Thanks for the video. I'm off to a farm auction.
The sand blaster would just get clogged over and over almost instantly. I tried drilling a hole in the pick up tube but nothing helped much. I got a kit from the Tacoma company that replaced all the hose and gun and a different style metering valve. There are a bunch of videos on you tube if your interested in seeing what they have. Yeah the compressor worked well once it had pressure on it. It will probably take some fiddling to get it down. I could probably get into some trouble at a farm auction.
Thanks for posting. Had a guy ask me to replace a complete front end under a dually Duramax of this vintage. I’m assuming it’s very similar to this setup.
I think it would be the same or pretty close. I don’t know if there is a difference between the gas and diesel. Here is a play list for all my gm repairs. I have some videos changing the control arms too. Chevy and gmc repairs ruclips.net/p/PLRbLKd2i_Uy6iLptvpu9mzjF7c6hZehXj
I normally used a c-clamp and an old pad for the last forever. But I figured there’s a tool for that so I’ll splurge and get one. Once I use it a few times I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it.
Wisconsin is up in the salt belt so not many 2003 vehicles with bodies as nice as this truck. What’s the $ ballpark for a 2003 with a fresh brake and bearing job?
I sold it for 3500.00 yesterday. Kelly blue book has that about in the middle of fair condition. It was getting to about the peak of the mountain. It’s probably gonna start getting pretty ugly in the next year or two.
It’s my wife’s dog…. From in the house….. about 100 feet away. I have to keep letting him out to see she isn’t home or he barks like that. Then he hears a sound and thinks she’s home and starts barking. It’s driving me crazy, it’s not really the barking it’s more the high pitch tone of it. 😩
Always curious what mechanics think of pickups from different manufacturers. I have seen you work on all three. You said, "I am tired of working on this thing".... I had a similar truck (it was a 1500) and I had to do a LOT of work on it before I could use it....but once it was "done", it was generally reliable (I took it on 2 4200 mile trips). I want to buy another GM truck, but my reason is that I am experienced with working on them. Am I subjecting myself to needless maintenance other brands don't need? Is GM really that bad?
I find they all have their problems but when replacing parts it’s what you put on that makes the difference on how soon you need to do it again. I’ve been trying to sell that truck and I had been fixing everything wrong with it. It’s not a bad truck and i still have a Tahoe I’m going to be driving instead of the truck. I prefer the gm trucks in the gas variety but the dodges in diesel. The fords seem just as good for the most part but I’ve been burned but ford too many times. Of course gm’s are gonna leak and dodges need transmissions and ball joints. I’ve never worried about getting there in my gm’s the always start and run, but I’m sure that isn’t the case for everyone.
In my opinion GM has the worst braking system of all the manufacturers. My Dad had a brand new 95 Chevy 2500 4wd pickup equipped with a dump insert. I had to drive the truck with a light load of stone in wintery conditions. Worst experience I ever had with a vehicle. I was driving cautiously due to conditions. I literally slid through an intersection as the ABS activated. Upon arriving at the restaurant where we stopped for breakfast at 10 mph the ABS activated. If it wasn't for the curb at the end of the parking space I wouldn't have stopped. Brand new truck! I bought a year old 2004 GMC 2500 HD 4wd. Same bad experiences with the ABS. I sold the truck and will never buy another GM truck again.
I haven’t had too many problems with mine aside from the wheel bearings or sensors. They do always seem to have a soft pedal though no matter how much I bleed them or activate the abs pump. My dodges seem to have firmer brakes but the brake lines are smaller so that might have something to do with it.
@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic That ABS system can be a bear to bleed. We have a 2000 GMC Sierra 2500. When the rear brake line went I replaced it with a steel line. I had a heck of a time getting it to bleed. Had to drive it home from the shop on just the front brakes. Next day it bled just fine. That line rusted 5 years later. Had a shop replace all the lines with ni-cop. I didn't want to deal with the maze at the ABS box. Ever since they replaced the lines I have to top off the brake fluid as it "disappears". I have a firm pedal and I can't find any visible leaks. It saves me from having to do a brake flush. LOL. From my experience Dodge and Ford have far better brakes on their trucks. GM ABS is too finicky and sensitive for my taste.
Gotta love New England😂. My knees and back are hurting just watching this video. Thankfully I built a garage with a lift two years ago and I rope my kids into doing some of the work. I replaced many of those wheel bearings when working for GM.
Lifts make everything SO much easier. I did a full front suspension rebuild, and brakes with calipers and rubber hoses on all 4 corners on a friends truck. Did it on jack stands. Job took about 7 hours. I walked funny for a week after that.
You must be having the sympathy pains, it was kicking my but though. I was planning on a garage and I’ve put it off for a while, although just having my tools on the same floor as the vehicle would be nice. I keep everything in my basement so I have a long walk to get what I need.
I have a lift at work I will use when I can. I was hoping it would have gone easier though. I didn’t mind bending down a few years ago and in the last few years after using the lift at work I’m rapidly losing interest in it. I’ve been outside changing the ball joints in the black truck I built. That thing will just never be done.
Oh yeah...that moment breaking free a rusted bolt, socket slips, and your skin falls victim to the nastiest cut!! Oh you stayed calm...better than me! Good work brother
Thank you. You know how sometimes things change so slowly you don’t notice until one day it’s so different you notice it? I used to be a pretty angry person and over the years I’ve prayed for help with it. I’m guessing it’s been such a slow transition that I just realized how far I’ve come from where I started.
@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic I'm a believer of prayer. Good work there too!!
I use a C clamp and old pad to push the cylinders back. The Astro tool looks simple but apparently requires patience.
I should have just bought a better c-clamp. There is probably a trick to it I’m not doing.
I wonder what went wrong with the sandblaster. Maybe a video on how you repaired that tool. As for the brake piston retractor tool. I think ratchet type is the way to go because caliper pistons need some strong push, and a ratchet style tool allows me to supply the strong push needed. The hand click type requires hand strength, ugh. Maybe warranty the tool you got or like you said use that tool with new pads. Thanks for the video. I'm off to a farm auction.
The sand blaster would just get clogged over and over almost instantly. I tried drilling a hole in the pick up tube but nothing helped much. I got a kit from the Tacoma company that replaced all the hose and gun and a different style metering valve. There are a bunch of videos on you tube if your interested in seeing what they have. Yeah the compressor worked well once it had pressure on it. It will probably take some fiddling to get it down. I could probably get into some trouble at a farm auction.
Thanks for posting. Had a guy ask me to replace a complete front end under a dually Duramax of this vintage. I’m assuming it’s very similar to this setup.
I think it would be the same or pretty close. I don’t know if there is a difference between the gas and diesel. Here is a play list for all my gm repairs. I have some videos changing the control arms too. Chevy and gmc repairs
ruclips.net/p/PLRbLKd2i_Uy6iLptvpu9mzjF7c6hZehXj
@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic thank you.
Just use a big pair of channel lock pliers with an old pad. Works as good as anything.
I normally used a c-clamp and an old pad for the last forever. But I figured there’s a tool for that so I’ll splurge and get one. Once I use it a few times I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it.
Wisconsin is up in the salt belt so not many 2003 vehicles with bodies as nice as this truck. What’s the $ ballpark for a 2003 with a fresh brake and bearing job?
I sold it for 3500.00 yesterday. Kelly blue book has that about in the middle of fair condition. It was getting to about the peak of the mountain. It’s probably gonna start getting pretty ugly in the next year or two.
Yes we heard the dog, but is it your dog or the neighbors annoying one? Thanks great vid
It’s my wife’s dog…. From in the house….. about 100 feet away. I have to keep letting him out to see she isn’t home or he barks like that. Then he hears a sound and thinks she’s home and starts barking. It’s driving me crazy, it’s not really the barking it’s more the high pitch tone of it. 😩
Oh Goldie always one thing or another :( did you end up selling her yet?
👍
Always curious what mechanics think of pickups from different manufacturers. I have seen you work on all three. You said, "I am tired of working on this thing".... I had a similar truck (it was a 1500) and I had to do a LOT of work on it before I could use it....but once it was "done", it was generally reliable (I took it on 2 4200 mile trips). I want to buy another GM truck, but my reason is that I am experienced with working on them. Am I subjecting myself to needless maintenance other brands don't need? Is GM really that bad?
I find they all have their problems but when replacing parts it’s what you put on that makes the difference on how soon you need to do it again. I’ve been trying to sell that truck and I had been fixing everything wrong with it. It’s not a bad truck and i still have a Tahoe I’m going to be driving instead of the truck. I prefer the gm trucks in the gas variety but the dodges in diesel. The fords seem just as good for the most part but I’ve been burned but ford too many times. Of course gm’s are gonna leak and dodges need transmissions and ball joints. I’ve never worried about getting there in my gm’s the always start and run, but I’m sure that isn’t the case for everyone.
I like your hammer is it an Estwing?
Oh yeah. It’s my favorite hammer ever.
In my opinion GM has the worst braking system of all the manufacturers. My Dad had a brand new 95 Chevy 2500 4wd pickup equipped with a dump insert. I had to drive the truck with a light load of stone in wintery conditions. Worst experience I ever had with a vehicle. I was driving cautiously due to conditions. I literally slid through an intersection as the ABS activated. Upon arriving at the restaurant where we stopped for breakfast at 10 mph the ABS activated. If it wasn't for the curb at the end of the parking space I wouldn't have stopped. Brand new truck! I bought a year old 2004 GMC 2500 HD 4wd. Same bad experiences with the ABS. I sold the truck and will never buy another GM truck again.
I haven’t had too many problems with mine aside from the wheel bearings or sensors. They do always seem to have a soft pedal though no matter how much I bleed them or activate the abs pump. My dodges seem to have firmer brakes but the brake lines are smaller so that might have something to do with it.
@@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic That ABS system can be a bear to bleed. We have a 2000 GMC Sierra 2500. When the rear brake line went I replaced it with a steel line. I had a heck of a time getting it to bleed. Had to drive it home from the shop on just the front brakes. Next day it bled just fine. That line rusted 5 years later. Had a shop replace all the lines with ni-cop. I didn't want to deal with the maze at the ABS box. Ever since they replaced the lines I have to top off the brake fluid as it "disappears". I have a firm pedal and I can't find any visible leaks. It saves me from having to do a brake flush. LOL. From my experience Dodge and Ford have far better brakes on their trucks. GM ABS is too finicky and sensitive for my taste.