Brakes....

Sarah99GXE · September 23, 2002

From my experiences with talking to people and reading on this forum, I have come to the conclusion that from about the mid 90's to now, the brakes on these chevy trucks SUCK.

I've been told that the early 90's models and before had the best brakes...which can be proven by my husbands 90 Chevy Work truck and our 83 Scottsdale that both stop on a dime.

So exactly (if anyone knows) what year did the Chevy brakes change and start going bad?

Thanks

Sarah99GXE · September 23, 2002

Well the problem we seem to have (along with everyone else we've talked to) is that they just don't seem to work like they should. The pedal gets mushy, they don't stop on a dime, sometimes the pedal pumps back up then goes down again etc. etc and they are not touchy at all.....One thought was that it was the ABS system that does this.

Anyhow, I was just wanting some feedback and if anyone knew what year the brake system changed.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Nick99Chevy · September 23, 2002

At 69,000 the brakes on my '99 are better than the ones on the '92, '94 and '96 that I had. :thumb:

bassdog · September 23, 2002

Sarah, the brakes on my 94 are just as you describe, I'll be putting in ALL new parts within a week or two.

Atleast 94 is a starting point for you

Sarah99GXE · September 23, 2002

Sarah, the brakes on my 94 are just as you describe, I'll be putting in ALL new parts within a week or two.

Atleast 94 is a starting point for you

Thanks Well we've gone through 2 master cylinders in a couple of months seeing if that cured anything.....and it didn't.

caddelma · September 24, 2002

If you want lots of reading on brakes (and other areas) check out this site (brakes link is half way down on the left):

http://subtopics.freeyellow.com/subtopics.htm

Most of the information is related to suburbans, but the problems carry over to the pickups as well.

Also check out http://www.praisedynobrake.com/

They seem to the best solution for improving our brakes (I have a 1998 C1500). Now they are pricey, guessing upwards of $600 for new rotors, pads, shoes and spring kit. When money allows I may go this route.

Other suggestions are to upgrade to stainless steel brakes lines (2 for front, 1 for the rear). I think these run about $70/set from summit. Made by earl's I think.

The cheaper way is to use quality pads and keep the rears adjusted. Some adjust manually every oil change, others just do an adjustment every couple of weeks by driving in reverse and braking quickly, just like you would if you were bedding a new set of shoes.

Some have also suggested using better fluid, ATE is preffered.

My next step is to use the S.S. brakes lines and change fluid. This supposedly gets rid of the mushy pedal and improves stopping slightly. The combination of this and praise-dyno, is supposedly a huge improvement. To really improving stopping distance requires much better parts and of course $$$$

SnakeEyeSS · September 24, 2002

Mine's a 90, and I'm guessing you read my thread about my brakes. We bleed and bleed, nothing, replaced some stuff, and nothing. Talked to a GM MAster Mechanic and he said they naturally were just bad. Mine go to the floor and are mushy, is this your problem?

Sarah99GXE · September 24, 2002

Mine's a 90, and I'm guessing you read my thread about my brakes. We bleed and bleed, nothing, replaced some stuff, and nothing. Talked to a GM MAster Mechanic and he said they naturally were just bad. Mine go to the floor and are mushy, is this your problem?

Yes! That pretty much explains the problem in ours. I've heard pretty much the same thing that you are being told....that they are naturally bad

SnakeEyeSS · September 24, 2002

If you want to spend a load of cash, but stop luike a TruckVette, these people make a monster replacement system: www.stillen.com

GaWd · September 29, 2002

I'm interested in much Stillen has to offer, but their website leaves much to be desired, Data-wise, and I can't pay a $5 fee for "shipping" of a catalog.

Sam

Sarah99GXE · September 30, 2002

I'm interested in much Stillen has to offer, but their website leaves much to be desired, Data-wise, and I can't pay a $5 fee for "shipping" of a catalog.

Sam

Well what I found on their website about a big brake kit ran around $2900....much more than I want to spend on a brake kit....I don't plan on having the truck that long to put that much money into it.

Import Hater · October 1, 2002

The last generation of trucks could have had a better design. I've driven many GM trucks from those years, and all of them have mushy pedals. And alot devolop master cylinder leaks after a while too.

The GMT800 platform, '99+ pickups '00+ SUVs, with the four wheel disc brake setup is alot better. Wear between front and rear is a little more equal thanks to the DRP, and pedal feel is alot better, but still nothing like a car. The hydroboost brakes in the 3/4 ton and up trucks is really nice though.

Rob