Assorted Questions

[jro909]

i've been noticing odd things and i just want to know where to go from there, as far as advice/normality/if it needs attention..the truck is 100% up to date on maintance, i just drive it no real offroading/towing/hauling(besides 500lbs in the bed for winter) heres my questions, thanks in advance for your time and patience i'm blonde and mildy retarded most days lol

 

1) loss of braking power it seems, i'm not sure if this is the squshy brake pedal thing or what..it takes quite a bit of effort to stop in a hurry, almost like the brake pads are faded out, front pads have 65% left on them and the rears are below 30% both were replaced about 9k apart but it just seems strange the rears are so low so fast...could the low pad cause loss of braking power? or any ideas?

 

2) the truck is slow, i'm not expecting race car speeds but for example tonight i turned onto a hill, was spinning 1900 rpms in 3rd and the hill was still beating my ass, same thing even on level roads..its like somethings holding me back, i'm not sure if the 3.42s are bringing me down, if its the weight in the bed or if maybe my pads are dragging? i would think 500 pounds would be a joke for a 5.3 even with 3.42s

 

3) i can feel the engine idle through the steering wheel/ front wheels...its quite a strong vibration, and it feels like the engine is stumbling..is this the rough vortec idle or what? no codes/dic messages

 

4) lastley, hy the hell do i get such bad kick back in the steering from bumps is it because 2wds have rack and pinions? i drove a friends 4x4 z71 and it ate bumps like they wern't there..is this the downfall to rack and pinion vs rotating ball?

 

thanks again for your time, i know my threads are generally annoying to most but i'm a paranoid mofo

[jro909]

anybody? i have money...

[8.1HD/ALLISON]

Its hard to say on any issue without driving the truck. I can say it seems like the rear pads do wear quicker on these trucks. Not sure what to say about the rest.

[papastoy]

Cleaned the MAF and Throttle Body lately? Bad tank of gas? ( For the Bad Idle ) Can't comment on the front end.

[jwhjr]

Do the 2wd trucks have the steering shaft issue? I have an 04 4wd and I was feeling every bump and it was actually vibrating at higher speeds as well. I replaced the steering shaft and the problem is gone. Just a thought on what you're feeling through the steering wheel, but not sure if that is also an issue in the 2wd trucks.

[jro909]

yes 2wd did have the clunk in the steer shafting..mine replaced at the dealer before i picked the truck up...thank you guys for replys so far