Soft Brakes

[Cobra1365]

Hi guys,

I have a 2003 Sierra 1500 Z71. The brakes have always been soft to me. Recently it felt as if the pads had gone and so I started to replace pads and rotors (since I'm in there anyway). But, there is a majority of pad still left! maybe 1/8th of inch wear. Still plenty of pad. I have 49K almost 50K on theses brakes.

I was wondering if a soft pedal is normal for GMC? If not, what else may be causing it?

Cheers

Mike

[VMax2007]

Try bleeding the system. But yes, GM's brakes have been known to be a little "soft" in the past. Not a bad thing necessarily, they still stop fine, it's just a perceptual thing.

[2004GMC1500CC]

Hi guys,

I have a 2003 Sierra 1500 Z71. The brakes have always been soft to me. Recently it felt as if the pads had gone and so I started to replace pads and rotors (since I'm in there anyway). But, there is a majority of pad still left! maybe 1/8th of inch wear. Still plenty of pad. I have 49K almost 50K on theses brakes.

I was wondering if a soft pedal is normal for GMC? If not, what else may be causing it?

Cheers

Mike

this is the reason I am putting on stainless steel brake lines

[ken1mod]

The reason our brakes are soft, and I agree they are is in the design of the booster. When you push the pedal when stopped, there is a 2 inch or so stroke where you are operating a spring loaded valve to apply power to the bakes. The spring is a bit soft on our trucks and thus the soft pedal. When the pedal gets hard after this initial valve period, you are at full boost and further stopping power is only achieved with your leg. Normally, all braking should be within this soft period.

 

Let us know if the stainless lines work well, I have heard both pro and con.

 

Ken