'97 K1500 Brake Pedal / Brakes Issue

[bcrooms]

Another thing I have going on with my '97 K1500 is with the brake pedal / brakes....

 

I have had the rotors and pads replaced recently due to rotors being warped / untrue.

 

The issue was present before and after this.

 

When I brake...the pedal has a pulse / tempo feel.  It doesn't go to the floor or seem hard to press.

 

I have to press the pedal more for it to stop the pulsing but that makes the truck stop much quicker which isn't always needed.

 

I did replace the booster a few years back, but I don't remember this issue being present before or after that part change.

 

[newdude]

5 minutes ago, bcrooms said:

Another thing I have going on with my '97 K1500 is with the brake pedal / brakes....

 

I have had the rotors and pads replaced recently due to rotors being warped / untrue.

 

The issue was present before and after this.

 

When I brake...the pedal has a pulse / tempo feel.  It doesn't go to the floor or seem hard to press.

 

I have to press the pedal more for it to stop the pulsing but that makes the truck stop much quicker which isn't always needed.

 

I did replace the booster a few years back, but I don't remember this issue being present before or after that part change.

 

 

 

When's the last time you've had the rear brakes checked?  

 

Typically if the pulsation is only in the pedal, its from the rear brakes.  If its shaking at the wheel its the front.  

[bcrooms]

6 minutes ago, newdude said:

 

 

When's the last time you've had the rear brakes checked?  

 

Typically if the pulsation is only in the pedal, its from the rear brakes.  If its shaking at the wheel its the front.  

The rear drums and shoes were check at the same time the front rotors and pads were changed.  They did change the drums but the shoes weren't worn enough to change....?

[asilverblazer]

1 hour ago, bcrooms said:

The rear drums and shoes were check at the same time the front rotors and pads were changed.  They did change the drums but the shoes weren't worn enough to change....?

Was the check just shoe life or drum roundness?

 

Its not the ABS kicking in is it?

[bcrooms]

1 hour ago, asilverblazer said:

Was the check just shoe life or drum roundness?

 

Its not the ABS kicking in is it?

Both were checked.  Drums were out of round enough to need replacement according to the guy that inspected.  Shoes looked almost new...

It could be the ABS system on the fritz.

The truck will hop like a rabbit at times due to the brakes.

Has a grab, release, grab, release, feel even when apply the brake steadily.

Edited December 10, 2024 by bcrooms

[richard wysong]

Try clamping 1 brake hose off at a time and take it for a test drive, that may help you determine which wheel is the culprit, 

[bcrooms]

Could this be an issue with worn out wheel cylinders on the rear?

 

[richard wysong]

No, a worn out wheel cylinder would just leak brake fluid UNLESS the truck sat for a long time in which case the pistons in the cylinders could be binding from corrosion so maybe, but it wouldn't cause a catch and release. Wheel cylinders are cheap so it wouldn't hurt to check

[bcrooms]

It's always had this intermittent brake bounce.... the last guy that changed the front rotors/pads and rear drums said it was as good as its gonna get for my truck...which I dont believe is true.  I should have smooth braking if all the brake components are operating as they should, right?

[richard wysong]

yes

[bcrooms]

3 minutes ago, richard wysong said:

yes

 

It hasn't been smooth for quite a while.  I thought the last guy would be able to resolve it...but no different.

[richard wysong]

Have you determined whether it's the fronts or the rears causing it? to eliminate the ABS possibility, pull the fuse ,if it still does it clamp off 1 brake hose at a time to try to determine the offending wheel. I wonder if the "like new shoes" could be the wrong shoes, There were MANY brake options for those trucks

[bcrooms]

On 1/22/2025 at 11:02 AM, richard wysong said:

Have you determined whether it's the fronts or the rears causing it? to eliminate the ABS possibility, pull the fuse ,if it still does it clamp off 1 brake hose at a time to try to determine the offending wheel. I wonder if the "like new shoes" could be the wrong shoes, There were MANY brake options for those trucks

 

I would say the rear is the cause for the hop.  The fronts only have a grab/release pattern.

[bcrooms]

I can see and feel the rear of the truck bouncing up and down at times when I apply the brakes. 

[asilverblazer]

Have you pulled the ABS fuse to rule out ABS activation in the rear?