04 Brakes Vs 06 Brake Setup

[04LS]

I was looking at my wifes 04 TB and noticed that the rotor, pads, and caliper is significantly different then my 06. The 06 rotor cooling fins continue down to the center in the front of the rotor. The 06 pads are longer and caliper looks larger. Does any one know which setup is better? I am guessing the 06, but was wondering if it worth the $$$ vs puting in new crossdrilled rotors and keeping the original caliber?

I used Raybestos ceramic pads last time, and the original rotor has heat blisters now and needs to be replaced.

[MTPockets]

Hmmm.. good question! What model TB is your 2006? Maybe GM put SS brakes on all the 2006's:thumbsup:

Joel

[ylab]

The EXT/XL versions get larger front rotors and callipers....is the 2006 an extended length and the 2004 the shorter? - Just a thought. (That's also the reason why 16 inch rims do not fit a EXT/XL vehicle).

[Envoy Fan]

I think the 5.3L V8 SWB may also get the larger brakes. The rotors on my '05 5.3L are the same diameter as the TB SS, but the SS rotor is made slightly different. SS calipers are slightly larger, and of course the SS pads are high performance.

[04LS]

The EXT/XL versions get larger front rotors and callipers....is the 2006 an extended length and the 2004 the shorter? - Just a thought. (That's also the reason why 16 inch rims do not fit a EXT/XL vehicle).

The 06 is just another LS non extended with the 6 cylinder engine

[mjr15197]

The brakes on all 2006 Trailvoys were upgraded to lower-drag brakes with improved "feel".

[vortech]

So are you saying that the 06 and later Envoy or Trailblazers that are extended have larger front rotors and different calipers? Are they a direct swap for say a 03 Envoy I-6(not extended)-and will the 06 Trailblazer SS pads drop in too? Wouldn't this be a nice upgrade if you have to do brakes? I noticed my wifes 03 lacks in stopping power. So will these fit under the factory 17"s?

[Envoy Fan]

My '05 Envoy Denali with the 5.3L seemed to have bigger front brakes than the '03 Envoy SLT I had previously. The rotor material is different on the '06 TB SS vs my '05 Envoy Denali, but same diameter. Slight difference in calipers, both two piston calipers, but SS piston holes a bit larger. The front pad material on the TB SS is also different, and leaves noticable brake dust. No noticable dust on the '05 or '03 fronts.

All accomodate the 17" wheels, as that is what the spare is on the TB SS.

If you were thinking of upgrading this way you would want to take your VIN and the VIN of an 06 to the parts dept. They could determine what differences in the two exist. Probably would need rotors, calipers and pads. And not cheap.

[vortech]

I was just thinking i'll upgrade to the larger rotors and calipers-doesn't have to be the SS ones though-I'm going to call my jobber and get a price. I don't want the dust on the wheels, I have an 02 Z06 and it stops like nothing I have ever driven but man a day after you wash it the wheels are literaly black!

[vortech]

So are the rotors from an 03 XL the same as a say 05 XL? I know the parts are different as i just called my jobber-rotors are $55 each and calipers are $99 each-that's for a 03 XL-if that's the case then it can't hurt to get that extra inch on the rotor-12" versus 12.8" -especially the way my wife drives-lol!

[Envoy Fan]

I would think consulting a good parts guy at GM dealership could assist. There may be different brake hose lines used different years.

[vortech]

I didn't even think about that.

[quag421]

I have an 06 Denali, are they different rotors then the I6's out there? I need to do rear brakes and have seen some deals on rotors that indicated multiple years and all models of envoys. I am suspect.

Also I see the article on the front brakes, anything to be aware of for the rear?

[quag421]

I have an 06 Denali, are they different rotors then the I6's out there? I need to do rear brakes and have seen some deals on rotors that indicated multiple years and all models of envoys. I am suspect.

Also I see the article on the front brakes, anything to be aware of for the rear?

Any one out there that can help with this question? Thanks.

[LMMJ]

The 06 rotor cooling fins continue down to the center in the front of the rotor. The 06 pads are longer and caliper looks larger. Does any one know which setup is better? I am guessing the 06, but was wondering if it worth the $$$ vs puting in new crossdrilled rotors and keeping the original caliber?

Can you take a picture of the front rotors? I don't remember ever seeing and I6 truck come with the bigger brakes. The front cooling fins are exactly that, the bigger rotors and they are better. I bought some EXT brackets last year and the larger brakes actually made a significant difference. I was quite surprised. My truck developed a big nosedive effect with them. Can't see the using the larger brakes just because. Maybe your 06 got lucky. To buy replacement rotors though you will have to ask for the EXT.

I have an 06 Denali, are they different rotors then the I6's out there? I need to do rear brakes and have seen some deals on rotors that indicated multiple years and all models of envoys. I am suspect.

Also I see the article on the front brakes, anything to be aware of for the rear?

Rear rotors are all the same. IIRC even the pads are too.

As for front rotors, all EXT/XL and V8 TV's have the larger front rotors and caliper brackets. Caipers and slides are the same. Like mentioned before the SS has different calipers and pads. The brackets are the same. Even the brake hoses are all the same.

[jay boy]

Let me see if I have the info correct: All rear brakes are the same on all trucks for all years. All EXT or V8 SWB trucks use a bigger rotor and caliper bracket than I6 swb trucks All SS uses the EXT rotor and caliper bracket and different (iron) calipers. For me to upgrade my I6 I need new brackets and rotors and EXT pads. Is this correct? If so It might be a nice upgrade for towing. Jay :thx