Brake Issue On G.m.t. 900 Trucks

Bostonsfavson · June 10, 2009

Evening fellas. As I was taking my calipers and caliper brackets off to paint them, I noticed something pretty disconcerting--I had to use a hammer to get the pads out of the caliper brackets. My truck is an '07 with about 35K miles on it. Three of the four brake pads look great. I'm pretty easy on brakes and don't do much towing, so they looked like new. The fourth one, though, was *bad.* It was the inner front passenger side pad. Here's a pic with the bad one in the foreground, and one of the others in the back:

I apologize for the quality--it was taken with my BB. It's hard to tell from the pic, but the bad one is so thin (about 1/5 the thickness of the others) that it's nearly cracking. This pad has pretty much wrecked the passenger side rotor, as it's now gouged to all hell. The problem, clearly, is that the pads were fitting so damn tight that they were having a difficult time sliding. Somehow, the other ones managed to, and only this one was "stuck."

I just wanted to share this with everyone, as it may not be a bad idea to check yours as well. I suppose it's possible that my truck is the only one affected, although it seems unlikely. And no, I've never had the brakes or calipers off, so it was like this from the factory.

EDIT: Damn it, forum software, let me put "GMT" in the thread title!

huero626 · June 10, 2009

When I replaced my rear brakes on my V-Max, my rear brake pads weren't wearing evenly. I changed my brakes after and so far they have been wearing evenly.

Zembonez · June 10, 2009

The pads should move somewhat freely and not require a hammer for removal.

It looks like the inner pad got stuck on something and became lodged in the caliper crooked. I have seen this happen before (mainly on race cars). A tiny casting flaw or foreign particle can get wedged in the slide and not let the pad move freely. I'd clean the caliper slides and install a set of ceramic pads while you have it apart if it were mine.

Bostonsfavson · June 10, 2009

Yea, I plan on filing down the pad slides and getting a few more miles out of them. I can see one sticking, but all four? I've never had pads so lodged in before, especially on a newer vehicle. Disappointing, to say the least. Part of me feels as though GM should replace them under the bumper-to-bumper, since this certainly isn't "normal wear."

VR021302 · June 10, 2009

COULD BE AFFECTED MORE-SO BY THE SAND IN VEGAS

handsomerob · June 11, 2009

Recommended brake service every 6 months would help prevent this, up north we see a lot of this.

Bostonsfavson · June 11, 2009

Recommended brake service every 6 months would help prevent this, up north we see a lot of this.

I was only in Vegas for about six months--the rest of the time the truck was in Buffalo. You're right, though--more diligent inspection on my part may have avoided this problem. The truck didn't pull, there were no abnormal noises or brake dust--I didn't think anything was wrong. When I rotate my tires, I *do* take a look at the pads, but it's tough to see that inner one.

rodz66 · June 12, 2009

Evening fellas. As I was taking my calipers and caliper brackets off to paint them, I noticed something pretty disconcerting--I had to use a hammer to get the pads out of the caliper brackets. My truck is an '07 with about 35K miles on it. Three of the four brake pads look great. I'm pretty easy on brakes and don't do much towing, so they looked like new. The fourth one, though, was *bad.* It was the inner front passenger side pad. Here's a pic with the bad one in the foreground, and one of the others in the back:

I apologize for the quality--it was taken with my BB. It's hard to tell from the pic, but the bad one is so thin (about 1/5 the thickness of the others) that it's nearly cracking. This pad has pretty much wrecked the passenger side rotor, as it's now gouged to all hell. The problem, clearly, is that the pads were fitting so damn tight that they were having a difficult time sliding. Somehow, the other ones managed to, and only this one was "stuck."

I just wanted to share this with everyone, as it may not be a bad idea to check yours as well. I suppose it's possible that my truck is the only one affected, although it seems unlikely. And no, I've never had the brakes or calipers off, so it was like this from the factory.

EDIT: Damn it, forum software, let me put "GMT" in the thread title!

rodz66 · June 12, 2009

I just had this problem today. I noticed a slight squeal at low speed, I pulled off the front wheels and noticed they turned hard. Pushed pistons in and pulled calipers, still hard to turn. The outer pads were stuck in the slides. I cleaned the edges of the backing material with a grinder and lubed the slides. They're free now, hope it lasts a while. Only has 28,000 miles.

Bostonsfavson · June 12, 2009

I just had this problem today. I noticed a slight squeal at low speed, I pulled off the front wheels and noticed they turned hard. Pushed pistons in and pulled calipers, still hard to turn. The outer pads were stuck in the slides. I cleaned the edges of the backing material with a grinder and lubed the slides. They're free now, hope it lasts a while. Only has 28,000 miles.

Glad to have the company

omegafiler · June 12, 2009

I'd use that as an excuse to upgrade the brakes!

C. Charles Hahn · June 12, 2009

I'd use that as an excuse to upgrade the brakes!

Agreed! I'd go with some ceramic pads and powerslot rotors after seeing that.

Frankly that makes me glad my rear brakes are drums; though I never thought I'd hear myself say that!

Zembonez · June 12, 2009

I just had this problem today. I noticed a slight squeal at low speed, I pulled off the front wheels and noticed they turned hard. Pushed pistons in and pulled calipers, still hard to turn. The outer pads were stuck in the slides. I cleaned the edges of the backing material with a grinder and lubed the slides. They're free now, hope it lasts a while. Only has 28,000 miles.

Glad to have the company

This is going to make me go check mine. I only have 13K on mine in two years... I was hoping for a couple of more years before changing brakes. I'll do it this weekend and let you know what I find if there's a problem. We might be seeing a trend.

Bish · June 12, 2009

Right front...hmmm. I had bad rotor wear on passenger front ONLY at 35K. Dealer(under warranty) turned rotors but then had to "clean up" the pad on pass front to get it quiet again.

I have heard quite a few stories about the pass front brakes on 07-up. Makes me wonder.....

brims · June 18, 2009

Yesterday I pulled my front wheels off to get rid of a little suspension squeak I was having and took a look at the pads. The front passenger is getting thin, close to the wear groove in the center, the driver's side looks fine. Wonder what that's about. I always spin my hubs when I have the wheels off to check for stuck pads, they were free. Saw this thread then saw my pads yesterday and wanted to add my name to the list.