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Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Brake Problems

611 messages,  Last post on May 15, 2013 at 10:41 AM

You are in the Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Brakes, Truck

    
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Messages Page 4 of 62

#29 of 611 Re: 2003 GMC Sierra 1500ext (5.3L) [ttaupier1] by utah2004

Jul 29, 2007 (6:00 pm)

Replying to: ttaupier1 (May 05, 2007 8:57 am)
Hello ttaupier1,
I have rotor warping problems also. I own a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500, 2WD. Last July/2006, I experienced brake pulsation. Dealer determined that all 4 rotors were warped. They were machined and this fixed the problem.
Milage at that time was 67338 miles. Today after only 7723 miles, I again have brake pulsation caused by warped rotors - this confirmed by dealer. Rear rotors must be replaced since not enough metal to machine them; front rotors need to be machined again. I don't feel I should have to pay for this since it shouldn't have happened after so few miles. I think I need some kind of official proof to show my dealer before they will give in to my request. I've searched the Internet but can find nothing that appears 'official' You mentioned you've seen many instances of people with GM truck brake problems. Do you recall anything specific that would help me here?
 
Thanks. Clark

#30 of 611 brakes by zimjerry

Aug 08, 2007 (8:41 am)

ttaupier1, did you get the stock rotors or the 14" ones from SSBC? I'm looking at the 14" rotor upgrade. Every GM vehicle I have owned has had marginal brakes,(except my GXP)but these are he worst.

#31 of 611 Re: brakes [zimjerry] by ttaupier1

Aug 08, 2007 (11:18 am)

Replying to: zimjerry (Aug 08, 2007 8:41 am)
I got the standard OEM rotors for the (4 of them)truck, like you my truck had marginal brakes from the start, and i assumed that the front calipers were working well, so i replaced the rears with the triple piston SSBC calipers, russel SSbrake lines and standard OEM rotors....feels like a nascar now!!!, my wife loves to drive it due to the brake feel. I have standards OEM rotors from SSBC all the way around. (note*...the key might be the SS-brake lines to the feel.) I did all the work myself and only extended the complete brake job by an hour for bleeding the new lines.
 
my e-mail: ted.taupieratt.net

#32 of 611 Re: 2003 GMC Sierra 1500ext (5.3L) [utah2004] by ttaupier1

Aug 08, 2007 (11:21 am)

Replying to: utah2004 (Jul 29, 2007 6:00 pm)
maybe let me see ..
 
Googled: "GMC truck brake problems":
 
1) http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2005/gm_silverado_brakes.html
 
2) http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/gm_silverado_brakes.html
 
3) http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0505/27/C01-195410.htm
 
4) http://www.carsurvey.org/modelyear_GMC_Sierra_2002.html

#33 of 611 06 Sierra 4x4 Brakes by tcbin07

Aug 08, 2007 (2:02 pm)

I very recently purchased an 06 GMC Sierra 1500 HD Crew Cab from a reputable? dealer and quickly discovered a braking issue that I'm certain will lead to problems down the road. The truck was a lease return with 35000km on it (may have been a rental, so it seems). Tire wear on the front indicates a fair bit of wear, but I think the dealer rotated the tires as the back ones seem quite good. I suspect that the brake rotors are warped though, because when I brake with medium pressure at higher speeds (80 km/hr) I can feel a pulsation in the front end and the steering wheel shakes a little. I contacted my salesman and he advised me to bring it back for a diagnostic as to whether the thing is a safety concern, or is just the result of normal wear. Like one of their advisors is going to tell me that the issue is all in my head or something, and that what I'm feeling is the result of "normal" wear. The vehicle has 36K on it and I'm feeling a brake problem already? That is not normal, but the situation may not be serious enough yet for them to do anything to correct it. Plus they want me to pay the cost of the diagnostic if they deem nothing is wrong with it. Some dealership! Well, I made an appointment to take it in to see what they say, but I suspect I may be in for a battle with them about fixing anything, in view of the comments I've been reading in this forum about inferior GMC brakes and parts.
 
Anyone out there have similar braking problems with their 06 Sierra? Any advice as to how to proceed with convincing them to fix it, at their expense?
 
Am I asking for the moon here?
 
Signed,
Perplexed

#34 of 611 Brakes by zimjerry

Aug 08, 2007 (3:25 pm)

tcbin07 If you have to replace anything, go aftermarket. Even NAPA has upgraded rotors and pads. the slotted rotors will be your best bet. The rear brakes have been a problem on these trucks since GM switched to rear discs. Just my.02

#35 of 611 2001 Silverado 1500 Brake Pulsation by sweetlb

Aug 09, 2007 (5:44 am)

I have a 2001 Silverado 1500 4wd with 55,000 miles. The past month or so, when I am coming to a slow stop (under 20 mph), when I touch the brake pedal, it starts to pulsate/shudder and press back towards me. The only thing I can do to stop is to start pumping the brakes repeatedly and hard.
So now, when coming to traffic lights and stop signs, I start braking well before giving myself space.
I’ve already replaced the rear pads and rotors about 12,000 miles ago because of squealing. Bought after market parts from local Autozone.
 
I took the truck to the local mechanic who said he thinks it’s the speed sensor. When I picked it up, he said “the speed sensor is fine and the computer shows nothing wrong. When it gets worse, bring it back and we’ll put it back on the computer.” Not a very reassuring answer.
 
Only thing I can think to do is replace the front rotors/pads, but don’t want to waste my money/time if that’s not it.
 
Any ideas what I should check/replace?

#36 of 611 Re: 2001 Silverado 1500 Brake Pulsation [sweetlb] by ttaupier1

Aug 09, 2007 (9:59 pm)

Replying to: sweetlb (Aug 09, 2007 5:44 am)
I am not sure its the front rotors and calipers ...are a problem.. but rather the symptom. I have put new rear calipers from SSBC on my 2003 GMC Sierra, not sure it matters what type, but rather the rear calipers are swapped for something that works. I also added brake SS-lines. I drive in Boston traffice weekly and have for about 35-45k miles on top of the 45k i had when i need to replace the brakes. NOT one issue, and often times atleast once a week i use them and I mean HARD.
 
Whith this said, the front rotors warp due to too much heat..the back brakes were not pulling their weight. This i suspected because my wifes old car.. Honda Accord ex stopped on a dime. i actually felt the difference in the rear wheels having more stopping power on the honda.
 
I saw the on line forums and notices everyone having stopping isses, however the front brakes on the truck created tons of dust, non on the back wheels, I use a little logic, my wife's rear wheels always had to be cleaned disk brakes. Hmmm can you see where this is going..
 
a friend had a 2500 silverado..had to do a complete brake job, noticed the rear disks not being used and rusting over, a friend of his the mechanic, in his army unit repairs chevy's, told my friend about the rear break caliper defects, it was talked about in a chevy trainig class....hmmmm ..well here comes rear SSBC calipers...there i go. have you guys noticed the Toyota emphasis on heavy duty breaks...stopping the truck before it goes over the cliff...that is not an accident in Marketing.
 
new rear calipers should fix the back brakes, and front, and the warping...not sure the dealer will pay for it...since they have had training for their mechanics for 3-4 years about the issues .... Until some folks die the NTSB won't get involved which means GM will only loose money by assisting the repair. Why loose money when the public will pay for it, and add service revenue to their bottom line.
 
This was more than .02, maybe .03,,,was i sick to buy $1500 in brakes...all i know is when i drive my 20 month old son around..i would pay 10 times that for peice of mind.
  
MY OLD POST>>>>I know from personal experience from yr2000 and on, GM has always had warping issues, I now have 34K miles on my after market SSBC components and no more warping, SSBC.com is probably your best bet, they have rotors that are coated that resist rust.
  
I now have about 45K on my truck and bakes and rotors are fine, dealer serviced said their 10% used, means I will get about 150k miles before the next brake job... see my photos http://www.carspace.com/ttaupier1/Albums/2003-5_3truck/

#37 of 611 Re: 2001 Silverado 1500 Brake Pulsation [sweetlb] by sweetlb

Aug 12, 2007 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: sweetlb (Aug 09, 2007 5:44 am)
Okay, here’s where I’m at.
After looking through my receipts, it appears I’ve already replaced the Rear Rotors and Pads ~15000 miles ago. So I went to the local Car Quest and bought after markets Front Rotors and Ceramic brake pads. Lady behind the counter told me any pulsation on the brake pedal is the rotors. Also talked me into ceramic pads (no brake dust on the rims). I hate cleaning my rims…
 
So yesterday I replace the Front rotors and pads, and took the truck for a ride. Still have the same problem.
However, it does this less now. For example, it only used to do the “brake pedal pulsation/shudder” on soft stops under 20 mph maybe 9 out of 10 times.
After changing the fronts, it seems to be doing this only on soft stops under 10mph. And maybe only happening 7 out of 10 times.
 
So the short version is, it’s still doing this, but by replacing the front Rotors and Pads, it seems to be doing this less.
 
Could there be an ABS problem?
What are the symptoms of ABS problems?
Not sure what else to check.

#38 of 611 Re: 06 Sierra 4x4 Brakes [tcbin07] by tcbin07

Aug 13, 2007 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: tcbin07 (Aug 08, 2007 2:02 pm)
An update to the brake concerns I have with the 06 Sierra. Took the truck back to the dealer and they were very good with recognizing my brake issue. End result they shaved the rotors on the front wheels, test drove it and sent me on my way - no charge. Got what I wanted, for now. Will wait and see how long this lasts. Makes me think that this is a common occurrence with Sierras. As this is a warranty item, I will be watching it closely near the expiry date of my warranty, in case the pulsation issue needs to be looked at again.
 
Should I need to replace anything after warranty, I will probably go with SSBC parts if I can get them.

Messages Page 4 of 62

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