Brake Pedal Travel

[gulfgears]

My 2003 Silverado has almost 90,000 miles on the original brake linings.

 

I took it in to have new brakes installed and was told there is plenty of lining left!

 

My problem is the excessive brake pedal travel before anything starts happening, is there any way to eliminate this travel short of putting new (thicker) pads on?

 

Thanks for any help.

[silverad03]

Judging from the sound of your post, the excessive pedal travel has developed over time.

 

There has been a recall on some gm vehicles for a problem with the brake booster, although I'm not sure if it affects the 2003 Silverados. I believe the NHTSA has a website where you can lookup current recalls on your vehicle - might try a search for that or I'm sure somebody here can give you a link.

 

In the meantime, I would check your brake fluid reservoir to make sure the fluid is topped off and the fluid is clean. Also, I'd check the joints in the brake lines to make sure you don't have a leak somewhere. If all else fails, I'd bleed the brakes to make sure there is no air in the line.

[gulfgears]

Judging from the sound of your post, the excessive pedal travel has developed over time. 

 

There has been a recall on some gm vehicles for a problem with the brake booster, although I'm not sure if it affects the 2003 Silverados.  I believe the NHTSA has a website where you can lookup current recalls on your vehicle - might try a search for that or I'm sure somebody here can give you a link.

 

In the meantime, I would check your brake fluid reservoir to make sure the fluid is topped off and the fluid is clean.  Also, I'd check the joints in the brake lines to make sure you don't have a leak somewhere.  If all else fails, I'd bleed the brakes to make sure there is no air in the line.

 

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[mjgjr72]

have them check the caliper sliders to make sure they are moving easly

[Bish]

My 2003 Silverado has almost 90,000 miles on the original brake linings.

 

I took it in to have new brakes installed and was told there is plenty of lining left!

 

My problem is the excessive brake pedal travel before anything starts happening, is there any way to eliminate this travel short of putting new (thicker) pads on?

 

Thanks for any help.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

If you haven't bled the brakes in 90K then my guess is there would be a big improvement. I would flush the whole system (minus abs unit of course). Chances are the pedal will firm up nicely. I bleed mine every year as they will definitely absorb water over time and water in the brakes is never a good thing. At minimum it will produce a spongy brake peday...at worse will pool in the braking system and cause things to rust that shouldn't.

 

As others have said, make sure the calipers are moving freely and the slides are well greased.

 

I also heard of a master cylinder issue but can't recall what years/models. Good luck.

[gulfgears]

Thanks to all who have posted suggestions. I commute 100 miles each day and having the long travel in the brakes makes for some hair raising situations.

[bobcat5544]

frist the recall on would only be if your veh has a hydro boost brake system which you will mainly find on trucks with a deisel engine do to those engines do not create vaccum...

 

as far as your brake pedel going to the floor could be due to air and/or water in the brake fluid, but that would depend on what type of brake work you have had done.

 

now if the pedal is going to the floor and your rear brakes are not wearing then it could be in you brake mater cylinder

 

now if you truck has a load level sensor for the brake system and you do not tow or put heavy objects in or bed then that sensor is telling your brake system to use more front brakes than rear