Brake Question

travisstorma · August 31, 2010

My 2004 Silverado 1500 5.3L is having some brake issues. I have replaced the master cylinder, both front brake hoses, front brakes and rotors. I replaced the front rotors / brakes due to the fact that they were worn. My problem is that my brakes are very weak. I can press the brake pedal down about 2 inches before it starts stopping. I can easily press the brake pedal to the floor and the truck don't slow near as good as it used to. I have blead the brakes twice now, and flushed all the fluid out.

Today was a kicker though. I was driving my truck and the brakes were acting normal for probably ten minutes, or about 15 stops. I went into a building to come out and the brakes were acting weird again.

Has anyone encountered this before? I figured that since they worked right for a bit, that it might just help in troubleshooting the issue. I really don't want to have to take it to the dealer, but that will probably be my next option.

Thank you!

jrod332 · August 31, 2010

frozen calipers or air in the lines? thats my guess.

Sly · September 1, 2010

My 2004 Silverado 1500 5.3L is having some brake issues. I have replaced the master cylinder, both front brake hoses, front brakes and rotors. I replaced the front rotors / brakes due to the fact that they were worn. My problem is that my brakes are very weak. I can press the brake pedal down about 2 inches before it starts stopping. I can easily press the brake pedal to the floor and the truck don't slow near as good as it used to. I have blead the brakes twice now, and flushed all the fluid out.

Today was a kicker though. I was driving my truck and the brakes were acting normal for probably ten minutes, or about 15 stops. I went into a building to come out and the brakes were acting weird again.

Has anyone encountered this before? I figured that since they worked right for a bit, that it might just help in troubleshooting the issue. I really don't want to have to take it to the dealer, but that will probably be my next option.

Thank you!

Did you cycle the ABS to get all the air out? A shop can do that for you.

travisstorma · September 1, 2010

My 2004 Silverado 1500 5.3L is having some brake issues. I have replaced the master cylinder, both front brake hoses, front brakes and rotors. I replaced the front rotors / brakes due to the fact that they were worn. My problem is that my brakes are very weak. I can press the brake pedal down about 2 inches before it starts stopping. I can easily press the brake pedal to the floor and the truck don't slow near as good as it used to. I have blead the brakes twice now, and flushed all the fluid out.

Today was a kicker though. I was driving my truck and the brakes were acting normal for probably ten minutes, or about 15 stops. I went into a building to come out and the brakes were acting weird again.

Has anyone encountered this before? I figured that since they worked right for a bit, that it might just help in troubleshooting the issue. I really don't want to have to take it to the dealer, but that will probably be my next option.

Thank you!

Did you cycle the ABS to get all the air out? A shop can do that for you.

No I didn't. That was on my thought list though. I just had a hard time thinking air got in there before I replaced the master cylinder. But anything is possible!

gmtech4 · September 1, 2010

dont mess with it any more PLEASE,take it in,, get the truck off the road till its repaired for everyones sake

cwendel4 · September 12, 2010

I had similar problems when I first got my truck, a 2000 with the 4wheel disc. I had a sticky rear caliper. It worked when I tested it but I could feel the brakes start to work and then grab a second later when the piston actually moved. This was also aggravated by the pads not sliding on the slides very well. I also needed to replace the caliper bracket since it was worn and allowed the caliper to slide upward away from the rotor when stopping.

The part that set this for me was a clicking sound when I pressed the brake pedal when stopped. Pressing caused the caliper to move and slide on the baking of the pads.

Matt_ · September 12, 2010

dont mess with it any more PLEASE,take it in,, get the truck off the road till its repaired for everyones sake

x2

Brakes not working properly is not something to screw around with.

From what you described, it sounds like air is trapped in the system somewhere. Did you follow a specific bleeding process? There are specific techniques for different vehicles due to different ABS/valving setups.

Edit: just noticed that this thread is well over a week old. What was the problem? (im assuming its fixed by now...)

travisstorma · August 9, 2011

Edit: just noticed that this thread is well over a week old. What was the problem? (im assuming its fixed by now...)

It is almost a year now it they are fixed. I had taken it to three dealerships which told me that the brakes were weak on the trucks and what I was observing was normal. I know that it wasn't due to the fact that I used to be able to lock the tires up... well get the ABS to kick in anyways. Two of the dealerships 'tried to' replace the brake booster, but was the same result. All in all I spent about 1200 on them bleeding the brakes and trying to fix it.

Two months ago I upgraded to hydroboost... and now my brakes are awesome once again!