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Brakes: Soft Or Not?

crestapre2

By crestapre2
in Ask A GM Technician

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crestapre2 New Member

crestapre2

Posted
Posted

OK guys I'm new to this forum and to large GM vehicles.

My last SUV was a Toyota 4Runner.

When I hit the brakes in the 4Runner they would grab and I could throw you into the dash if I jambed them on.

 

I recently purchased a 2005 Yukon and the brakes feel soft to me. I've had two GMC dealers and a Meineke tell me that they just have the "GM" brake feel and that they look fine. The vehicle seems to slow and stop ok in regular traffic but I am concerned about an emergency stop. I've tried to jamb the brakes but it doesn't stop the way that I would like.

 

I also tow a large boat and am very concern that I won't even be able to stop it.

 

Any info out there?

  • 2 weeks later...
schartow New Member

schartow

Posted
Posted

I have the same question. I bought a 2005 Yukon Denali with the 6.0 liter for towing a horse trailer and race car trailer. But the brakes feel soft. And coming out of Asheville, NC one time I about burned them out - could smell them and started to viberate. I don't ride the brakes, but it seemed I had to push hard for effective braking. And had no trailer. While the towing capacity is rated high enough, I'm convinced that I won't be able to slow as fast as the vehicle in front of me. Is there an upgrade that I need to look into? I heard that in 2005 the brake system was changed and it would improve braking for towing. Tell me the key components I need to check out. Thanks!

schartow New Member

schartow

Posted
Posted

Here's an update and everything seems good! Mine were not spongy as if they needed bleeding. They just seemed to have diminishing returns when I had to start pushing down hard. I talked to a shop and in my case, I have 20" rims on a vehicle and brake system designed for 16" rims. It makes sense that the larger diameter reduces the stopping power just a bit. As in lever arm mechanics, the load distance is increased from the disc thus giving the disc less leverage. I recently hauled a heavily loaded 22' race trailer to Asheville and it was fine. I was actually impressed. I had to unload some stuff before leaving because it weighed in at 8940 lbs with a 1340 tongue weight. I'm thinking I ended up around 8000 lbs with a 900 lbs tongue weight. Just a guess. Got about 11 mpg avg at 60 mph avg.

95Sierra2500 Senior Enthusiast

95Sierra2500

Posted
Posted

Consider upgrading your brake system. Slotted rotors, at least ceramic pads, etc. etc. I don't know about the availability of aftermarket brake systems (Baer, etc.) for trucks, but they may exist.

 

FYI, when towing a trailer, you WONT stop as quickly as the vehicle in front of you. This is why you should at least double, if not triple the normal following distance and slow your speed.

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