Need some advice

Alleycat · October 19, 2003

Howdy, I'm from San Angelo, TX and I've got a an 89' Sierra. Im 18 and I've had this truck for about 4 months. I just changed out the rear end about 3 weeks ago and now I've got a new problem. Whenever I brake my truck pulls off the the right and depending on how hard I brake is how fast and hard it turns to the right. The alignment had been checked and it's fine. It cost a little too much for me to have it checked over so I'm lookin for a little help from people who prolly know alot more about trucks than I do. Please throw me some bones here.

beebow · October 19, 2003

Did you adjust your rear brakes when you installed the new rear end? Bleed your brakes all around? Check the slides on the Calipers for free movement? If you have done all of these things have your brake fluid flushed to allow your calipers free movement. Most good shops will do a courtesy check of your braking system and give you an estimate on any needed repairs. It sounds like a sticking caliper piston, or a locked up slide. If you didn't have a problem before the rear end change it's most likely a brake proportioning issue. Hope this helps and good luck, let us know what you find.

99-2door · October 19, 2003

The 95 Tahoe I had did this when I got it. It was one the left front caliper malfunctioning. I replaced both front calipers (for good measure, also recommended) , put new pads and had the rotors turned and the problem went away. Brakes worked fine the rest of the time I had it.

OUMike · October 19, 2003

Alleycat, I'm Mike..welcome to the board. I have a 94' Silverado (exact same setup as you) and I'm currently going through same problem. I'm 19 and I've had my Bow Tie about 3 years. When you brake does your wheel shake? If it does that means your rotors are out of round and need to be turned (although an 89 probably has signifiant mileage..just get new ones). The fellas are right. If your truck pulls that is 90% of the time gonna be a stickin' caliper. They are $12.99 (with a $35 core charge) at AutoZone. I'm gettin' ready to replace my calipers, rotors and hoses all at the same time. Parts, fliud and berrings probably gonna get me about $200. Very cheap IMO. What happens a lot of time is the hose that runs to your caliper will callapse. This will allow fluid to get TO the caliper, but will now allow it to LEAVE the caliper. This will cause your caliper to seize up and eventually ruin it. When you change the caliper do the hose to. Hoses are $18 bucks. If your short on cash (like most 18-25 yr olds) do one side at a time. Start with the side that is bad, then later replace the other side. If it pulls to the passenger side, check that caliper. As for the hose you'll know if its bad when you see like a brownish colored brake dust all over the inner wheel and rotor. With a truck that old I'd go ahead and replace everything. Can get parts inside of $200 and thats much cheaper than a shop will wanna do it for. Rotors are about $39-49 a piece and calipers are anywhere from $12.99-$39.99. The $40 calipers are gonna be your Wagner ones. They will come with all the hardware AND Wagner pads. A good buy IMO. [email protected]. I've learned alot about quarks on these old trucks since I've had mine. Feel free to drop me a line and I'll help ya out best I can.

beebow · October 20, 2003

Just a suggestion guys, I remember being short of cash at 19 also. Don't buy Chinese rotors! No matter what the shop tells you they aren't the same material as OEM. Checker, Kragen carries Raybestos PPlus VSM Rotors for $60 each. They are domestic and made from the same alloy as OEM. VSM= Vehicle Specific Metallurgy. They are a steal at this price. Don't let them sell you Raymold Rotors! If you can swing it buy the PPlus or Quiet Stop pads. With the weight of our trucks you don't want the budget pads. Stopping 60% of a trucks weight with a budget pad is dangerous. With the heat produced you can ruin your rotors. I know the bucks are hard to come by, but in the long run the quality set will pay off. Good luck guys.

OUMike · October 20, 2003

Well said. I almost forgot about that.

Alleycat · October 21, 2003

Hey guys, I'd just like to say thanks for all the adivice. I went with what Mike said and just replaced everything. The money was an issue until on my way to check on parts I realized how much cheaper it would be to replace those parts now instead of waiting til I had more problems.