Mechanic says front brakes seizing up...ideas?

[Astrodokk]

I just had my rig in for suspension work at Les Schwab. Since I will be going on a long trip in a couple of months, I asked them to do their pre-trip inspection.

They stated that while up on the lift, they rolled the front wheels and are recommending front brakes due to the left front is kind of seizing up.

They noticed that the left front rotor has been getting hotter than the right, and he saw "cracks"? I didn't know metal can crack. I have noticed that when I brake hard while driving slowly, the steering wheel turns to the left very sharply, so it makes sense.

They say it would be new rotors, calipers, heavy duty pads, new bearings, flush for $1140.00! Yikes, is that the going price for a job like this?

I've been reading other threads on this subject and I know that some of you have upgraded only the brakes, while another way is completely replacing the front end with a 2014 E-450 front end (looking at you Blue). I'm not inclined at this time to do a replacement, just something simple. Keep it stock but improved.

So my question is, what kind of front brake job can I ask for from a reputable brake shop that can improve/upgrade my front brakes with completely redoing the front end? I'm saying basically a plug and play type deal like Chinooker did when his overheated in LA, or maybe something that's a newer thing now. What is out there? Help me spend my money!

[chin_k]

So you also have bearing issue? I don't think it is related to your brake. I would take it to other shops and get an estimate. I would get the quote with and without the bearing.

When metal get fatigue, they do crack. Look at the inspection they do on airplanes. Gold is the metal that is least likely to get these cracks.

[Astrodokk]

They didn't say that the bearings are bad, just that it is included as part of their brake job service.
I am researching shops now just to see what's out there.

[Blue~Go]

Well I got the whole new front end for about that price and it took less than a day (not including my drive to Portland, OR), so you can guess what my choice would be.

Sticking caliper slides are a thing, so have them lubed.

[chin_k]

They didn't say that the bearings are bad, just that it is included as part of their brake job service.

At least they don't include engine swap, tranny rebuilt, and a diesel conversion as part of their brake job.

[Astrodokk]

Yeah I asked them about just lubing them for me but they said it's not something they do, and that the calipers look old and worn so best to replace.
I found a place called Moe's Truck Service in Kirkland (maybe SMan has heard of them?) that works on bigger trucks and fleet vehicles, which I heard is a good thing. Sent an email and will probably hear back when they open again during the week. They have good yelp reviews.
I'll update here when I find out.

[Chinnin-about]

A likely scenario.

The stock brakes on an E-350 are not designed to carry full weight capacity on the one ton chassis all the time. Our Chinooks stay at about 10,000 pounds, and so the brakes wear out quicker. Also, if the previous owner rode these brakes down a mountain pass, and overheated them, this would account for calipers which look bad. If a brake shop replaced the front pads, and calipers for that matter, and did not adjust the rear shoes at the same time, then the new front pads are going to do all the work by themselves until they wear in to meet the rear shoes.

This happened to me on my 1997. If you have brake issues, I would recommend doing all four corners, calipers and all. I had to replace my front hubs, as the disks were cracked from heat and the brake shop would not turn them. Might as well do bearings at that point too.

I did the fronts myself, 600 in parts. The rears I had the mechanic do.

[SMan]

FWIW I bought a brand new Tioga motorhome in 1993 on an E350 chassis and towed my Jeep Wrangler with it extensively. In a lack of judgement did not use auxiliary braking for the Jeep and both front rotors of the Tioga ended up with multiple cracks from the heat generated. I was shocked when I saw them.

[Astrodokk]

Very interesting information.
I'm going to get the brakes done, but undecided about getting OEM or getting better braking with a different set of parts, but not as far as replacing the whole front end yet.
I have an email in to a brake shop locally and will hear what they have as options.

[chin_k]

I would compare the different options, and see if it is worthwhile to do the front end. If it is just some components that need to be replaced, then do the minimum, but if you have to do the bearings, calipers, etc., and end up with lots of labors and parts cost, there maybe not much more to go toss the whole front, and get a better front.