1999 2500 suburban 4x4 brakes

454rat · April 4, 2003

I hope someone can answer this one for me. I have 5000 miles left on my warranty and want to get this fixed. I had the front antilock sensors replaced (and rotors too) and about (Or exactly?) that time the brakes got VERY sensitive at low speeds. Sometimes the front locks up, sometimes the rear. The dealer is miffed at ME because the mechanic misrouted one of the wires and it wore through about 1500 miles later. They blamed it on my old 4 inch lift.(yeah, right)They replaced that side again with a note on the warranty paperwork blaming my lift. Now they say it's just moisture and to drag the brakes when I back out of the garage. The back brakes are 10K miles and like new, The fronts were replaced AFTER this problem started and that didn't change anything. Anyone seen this problem? Thanks for your help.

Shaners · April 4, 2003

Is it just the first time you apply the brakes or everytime?

Do the rear wheels seem warm/hot after extended driving?

Do you use your E-brake often?

Have you tried another dealer?

454rat · April 4, 2003

Holy Cow! What a fast reply! The brakes seem to grab much more when they are cold, but they still do grab too much when warm.The rears are not hot after driving.Maybe warm, but not as warm as the fronts. I think that they all feel "normal". I have been using the e-brake now that I've had this problem. I was hoping that that may adjust the rears if they needed it. I'm not sure how the 3/4 tons adjust. I will try another dealer if that is what I've got to do. It is a big pain for me as most other dealers are an hour away.I just can't imagine where this problem came from. I really didn't apprieciate them blaming my 2 year old lift. I've put about 35K on this truck without any brake issues. It has 70K on it now. Thanks again.

Shaners · April 4, 2003

Every thing sounds normal...

My best guess is that the wrong hardness of pad was installed...

454rat · April 4, 2003

Shaners, Thanks for the ideas. I am not sure about the pads though. Thinking back, I am pretty sure that the first time I felt this was pulling out of the dealers after they replaced the rotors and sensors. At the time I thought that it was because they had to push the pistons back into the calipers for the new rotors and that the front brakes just had to seat themselves. They did not replace the pads at that time.Stopping at the end of their parking lot the front end stopped like an on/off switch. After 2 more of those stops it went away. In retrospect, I should have turned around and left the truck. I had to fly away on business soon so I forgot about it.Much later I replaced the front pads with another brand. No change. I just read a chevy service manual from 1974. I never had anything with hydro-boost brakes before. In the old manual it suggests that the spool return spring or the entire spool may be damaged. Would you have any idea if this could have been caused by simply pushing the caliper pistons back? It seems like a leap to me, but there must be a reason for this. Thanks again for your help, Tom