Brakes pulsate

Sierra 05 · July 25, 2006

Okay, My brakes pulsate at times, it comes and goes. The rotors and drums were turned, booster replaced, and GM recommened 200-500 lbs in the bed. i lowered the truck 2inches, and it still did it. So, the weight thing is BS!!! I am really close to lemon law on this one. Anyone got any advice? I thought it was a warped rotor, but it comes and goes. Could it be a bad porportioning valve or a bad caliper?

`05 GMC Crew 1500 2WD

ken1mod · July 25, 2006

pulsating brakes are caused by rotors or drums period. Have them machined to spec and your problem is finished.

Ken

VortecMax · July 26, 2006

I agree, it is your rotors , do the right thing and replace them as well as your brake pads, there may be hot spots ( glazed ) on your pads and they wont be as effective as they should . You'll feel better in the end about doing it.

Sierra 05 · July 26, 2006

Well, that`s also what the dealer has said, hot spots, maybe. The Tech thinks it is in the rear, and I think it is in the front as I feel it in the wheel. Whatever!!!!!!!!

I beleive the left front rotor is warped, and needs to be replaced, as all rotors and drums were turned to Spec. Pads were also block sanded. BS procedure there. I think I may call Wednesday and tell them, the truck needs rotors and pads.

By the way, two other techs have the same problem. One puts his ATV`s in and that`s his fix, while the other has had every brake part replaced, with no luck. Minus the actual caliper, brake hoses, and wheel cylinders. Hey it may be a brake line, who knows. Those rubber parts give a little under hard braking.

lahook · March 28, 2007

Okay, My brakes pulsate at times, it comes and goes. The rotors and drums were turned, booster replaced, and GM recommened 200-500 lbs in the bed. i lowered the truck 2inches, and it still did it. So, the weight thing is BS!!! I am really close to lemon law on this one. Anyone got any advice? I thought it was a warped rotor, but it comes and goes. Could it be a bad porportioning valve or a bad caliper?

`05 GMC Crew 1500 2WD

my brakes pulsate also.

I replaced my front rotors and pads this weekend. the problem is still there. I'm probably going to replace the rear rotors and pads soon. the shaking that goes along with pulsating feels like it's coming from the front.

The truck has no shaking, except when the brakes are being applied. It must make noise, because when i applied brakes to make a turn, someone turned to look.

Anyone have any idea what could be causing this?

C & A s Dad · March 28, 2007

Jamie, I have no idea where you had the rotors turned but I can tell you that not everyone who steps up to a brake lathe knows how to "properly" use one. In many cases the guy running the brake lathe is new to the job and someone who may have not known how to properly turn rotors likely trained him.

There is a right way to turn rotors and I am sure you are aware of this. I have seen cases where the rotors are in worse condition after being resurfaced than they were before.

superbee · March 28, 2007

Are your wheel lugs torqued with a torque wrench? Uneven stress can warp rotors when they heat and cool.

lahook · March 28, 2007

Are your wheel lugs torqued with a torque wrench? Uneven stress can warp rotors when they heat and cool.

this is the main reason i bought new rotors. the tire store over torqued all my lug nuts. I'd bet they didn't care how they put the lug nuts on. (put the impact on max and go for it)

I'm choosing a different tire shop next time.

Could there be a problem with the ABS causing the pulsating?

Nice rig · March 28, 2007

Okay, My brakes pulsate at times, it comes and goes. The rotors and drums were turned, booster replaced, and GM recommened 200-500 lbs in the bed. i lowered the truck 2inches, and it still did it. So, the weight thing is BS!!! I am really close to lemon law on this one. Anyone got any advice? I thought it was a warped rotor, but it comes and goes. Could it be a bad porportioning valve or a bad caliper?

`05 GMC Crew 1500 2WD

Can you lemon law a truck that's 2 years old??

Xc Special · March 28, 2007

honestly, i havent machined a rotor,since they became so affordable,

machining rotors ,makes them thinner, ,and even faster to warp , ??

also they rust so bad now, to get a rotor clean, there general junk by then

IMO

Draenor · March 28, 2007

Okay, My brakes pulsate at times, it comes and goes. The rotors and drums were turned, booster replaced, and GM recommened 200-500 lbs in the bed. i lowered the truck 2inches, and it still did it. So, the weight thing is BS!!! I am really close to lemon law on this one. Anyone got any advice? I thought it was a warped rotor, but it comes and goes. Could it be a bad porportioning valve or a bad caliper?

`05 GMC Crew 1500 2WD

Can you lemon law a truck that's 2 years old??

You'll have to check the law in your state.

honestly, i havent machined a rotor,since they became so affordable,

machining rotors ,makes them thinner, ,and even faster to warp , ??

also they rust so bad now, to get a rotor clean, there general junk by then

IMO

+1

I stay away from turning a rotor because of the fact that the thinner rotor will not dissipate as much brake heat.

bdeboer · March 28, 2007

Bump!

I have the same problem on my 2500 Suburban with new brakes and rotors? I posted this over on the GM Tech Forum, any suggestions?

ken1mod · March 28, 2007

Gentlemen,

This truck is not a lemon. Pulsating brakes are easily and cheaply fixed. The rotors/drums are warped. That's all. This can happen to any vehicle. It is not a big deal to fix.

ken

bdeboer · March 28, 2007

Gentlemen,

This truck is not a lemon. Pulsating brakes are easily and cheaply fixed. The rotors/drums are warped. That's all. This can happen to any vehicle. It is not a big deal to fix.

ken

lahook and myself have this problem with new pads and rotors? Personally I am trying to find out if the problem could be something else. I haven't ruled the fact that my Napa made in china rotors are problem. The reason I changed my pads (50% left) and rotors was the vibration, not wear

C & A s Dad · March 28, 2007

Not defending NAPA,afterall they are my competitor but you will be hard pressed to find rotors that are not made in China. Ours (CARQUEST) are now all made in China but I can tell you there are about 3 different grades of rotors that come from there. The bottom lines stuff is pure junk and is literally cast in dirt molds. The mid grade is not bad but still substandard compared to premium rotors. The product supplied to us is a premium product and we literally sell thousands of them everyday to professional techs all over the US and Canada and have great luck with them. I wish they were made in the US but the fact is there are no major suppliers still manufacturing rotors in the US. I hate this because there is nobody more "Pro Buy American" than me.

We are currently looking at a premium line of super duty and/or high perf rotors. We do offer a severe duty rotor now for limited applications. I know they are avail for GM Suvs but I have not looked at truck applications. They are slotted and drilled and designed for police, tax and fleet use.