brake troubles, and more brake troubles

Dirtautoguy · July 24, 2014

on my 1996 chevy k1500 Iv always had since i bought the truck. the brakes work but they are just spongy and not solid. today I took some time to look closer at the brake pedal itself since I have never really done that and relized that there is almost 2 inches of play in the pedal before you feel it hit the master cylinder is that normal? I dont think it is.when the truck is off the pedal is rock hard im guessing because there is no boost helping. the rod moves soon as you move the pedal but it doesnt hit the cylinder untill the 2 inches later . here is what i have done to the brakes

bled them a billion times

new pads

new calipers

new wheel cylinders

new shoes

new master cylinder

new fluid

is there a way to adjust that rod?? has anyone heard of this problem>? i cant even find it on google

grampadirt · July 25, 2014

http://www.alldatadiy.com/index.html

Try it,you'll like it.I subscribe for three vehicles.

tommy99 · July 25, 2014

I just got done working this same problem on my 97 K1500. In my case both wheel cylinders were bad, but while I was researching I read a lot about air getting trapped in the ABS module. You can take it to the dealer and have them manually cycle the ABS with a Tech 2 scan tool, and should push out any air into the lines so they can bleed it out. You could try removing the fuse for the ABS, and if your pedal pumps up then that is most likely your problem.

gmtech4 · July 25, 2014

did you bench bleed the m/cyl ?

Dirtautoguy · July 25, 2014

I did bench bleed the master cylinder. today just for kicks i decided to have have my dad help me bleed them again. we bled all four tires in order and then i drove it for a minute and made the ABS work some. after I got back we bled all four of them again. im not sure if i just had air in the hose i was using or if some air came out. but after bleeding them they felt better not great but better they would lock the front tires on pavement and in the 18 miles home (playing with the brakes on the way) they are back to how they were . im starting to think maybe I will just take it somewhere and have them pressure bleed it. I have a cousin in town that runs a mechanic shop that would probably be able to help me. how much does this usually cost?

Dirtautoguy · July 25, 2014

I unplugged the ABS fuse and the brakes work tons better (not amazing) but a lot better. I also talked to my a guy that works for my cousin in town he said it would probably be a hour labor and then probably whatever fluid/parts they used. so around $75 to bleed it all. If im going to have them do it though i want to know for sure that that is what it is and that its not something else. what are your thoughts about it?

gmtech4 · July 26, 2014

i have no thoughts as its not in front of me ,,,,,,have the ABS auto bled from tech 2 ,,,,

oh ,bench bled means m/cyl off the truck and mount tabs in a vise ,,tubes from outlet to the reservior in the oil ,,,,screwdriver being the push rod ,,in and out untill ZERO bubbles ,,,tap on housing as ya go,,,

ya cant bench bleed a m/cyl on the truck

tommy99 · July 26, 2014

I unplugged the ABS fuse and the brakes work tons better (not amazing) but a lot better. I also talked to my a guy that works for my cousin in town he said it would probably be a hour labor and then probably whatever fluid/parts they used. so around $75 to bleed it all. If im going to have them do it though i want to know for sure that that is what it is and that its not something else. what are your thoughts about it?

If you unplug the ABS fuse and your brakes feel better, that most likely means that there is air trapped in the ABS module, or possibly in between the master cylinder and ABS module. Have it bled with the Tech 2 and see what happens.

Snowmobile · July 26, 2014

Aw man I'm so sorry that that happened to you. I hope that it gets fixed soon.

tommy99 · July 27, 2014

Did you adjust up the rear brakes when you changed the shoes?

Dirtautoguy · August 27, 2014

hey!! so sorry its been forever since I posted. ive been working tons plus I got engaged so we have been way busy with that. I talked to my cousin and he took my truck for a drive. he said that it just felt to him like the rear brakes needed to be adjusted out more. funny thing is I had a shop adjust my brakes not to long ago ( they charged me a 12 pack of mountain dew). But i took a look at the brakes and adjusted them out untill they dragged and getting the drums back on was slightly difficult and sure enough problem solved! the brakes on this truck have never been this good ever thanks guys for your help