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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 41 of 62

#397 of 611 Message to Chris Lash of the NHTSA by budnkris1

Jul 29, 2011 (12:43 pm)

Mr Lash,
   I have already submitted a complaint to the NHTSA with little more than an automated response. The ODI # is 10414892. Attached are the pictures of my brake lines that failed due to extreme corrosion on my 2004 Siverado 2500HD. The current mileage is 63491. VIN #1GCHK23UX4F230932. I cannot understand why, with all the complaints, that your current investigation stops at 2003. This is NOT a normal failure. I have vehicles with over 200,000 miles on them that show no such corrosion on the brake lines. This is obviously an engineering failure.
  As an aircraft mechanic I know that all government safety standards are written in blood. Thank god my families was not spilled, but I know that someones will have to be to get the government to act! I was, as so many are, completely unaware of this issue until I had to look up the replacement parts. Low and behold, countless forum's erupted as a result my Google search for my truck model's brake lines. Why don't you put out at least a TSB? I'll tell you...no one wants to tarnish General Motors' reputation any further. Instead your division of government is satisfied to turn a blind eye ("Investigating" for 3 years) until someone is killed in a wreck caused by this failure. Then it will be, "This is a travesty, how could this have happened?" and the headlines will continue. These trucks weigh 9400 Lbs and routinely are towing something, so most likely, MORE THAN ONE FATALITY WILL BE INVOLVED! One of these trucks is most likely is behind you and your family every day.
   I know your hands are tied by beauracracy, but I implore you to do what is right. At minimum, force a TSB so people are not oblivious to this DEADLY defect. I refuse to believe that any human being could knowingly ignore the possibility of preventing even one fatality.
   I hope you understand that I am writing you this to ensure this stops happening, and that you expand the year models involved. Look at the forums. This is a widespead problem, further forward than 2003.
  
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

#398 of 611 Re: GM brake failure by concerned_dad

Aug 01, 2011 (6:06 pm)

I just ran into the same problem this weekend and thank you all for the thread and information.
 
My truck is a 2005 Silverado 2500HD with 22,000 miles. My regular mechanic said that they have seen this at least 20 times. Same rusted lines at the ABS unit under the driver’s door. I don't plow, it's obviously not my daily driver, and it has always been parked on a paved driveway.
 
My nephew was using it to move firewood and I am so glad that he called me when he felt it wasn't stopping right instead of continuing. My mechanic is going to replace all the lines with a nickel/copper alloy product as well as the hoses and the calipers because the bleeders rusted completely off. $1500.00 estimate. There goes the vacation. I will start contacting the dealer, GM, and NHTSB tomorrow. I'm going to tell everyone I know.
 
On a side note, my dad has a 2007 Silverado 1500 with 3 times the mileage. He lives 2 miles up the street, on top of a hill that gets extra "salt" in the winter and after a quick look under his truck I could see no rust; neither does my 2003 Camry which has over 115,000 miles and is my daily driver in most snow storms. (Fuel economy)
 
Thanks for listening

#399 of 611 Re: GM brake failure [concerned_dad] by gmcustsvc

Aug 02, 2011 (9:24 am)

Replying to: concerned_dad (Aug 01, 2011 6:06 pm)
concerned_dad,
 
I apologize for the problems you are experiencing with your vehicle. Are you having the issue fixed by a GM dealership or an independent shop? Please keep me posted.
 
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service

#400 of 611 Re: Sierra 2007 Brake question [mrfixit911] by bigterp

Aug 02, 2011 (3:48 pm)

Replying to: mrfixit911 (Jul 22, 2011 10:52 am)
that is exactly how I 'fixed' my brake problems with my 2001 Silverado

#401 of 611 ABS engages momentarily every time just before stopping by gmc_james

Aug 03, 2011 (9:10 pm)

I have an 03 GMC 1500 Z71 with just over 200,000 miles. Bought it used at 140k - do not have contact with previous owner anymore. It was a great truck for the previous owner who switched to a DuraMax for all his hiway time and better mileage.
 
The ABS engages at about 5-7 mph just before it comes to a stop. It still stops ok since ABS only affects the front and fresh brake disc pads all fours, plus new front rotors and emergency shoes at 193k. But this is really bugging me. If I hit the brakes HARD it doesn't do it, just when stopping normally or even very gently.
 
I just had the ignition switch replaced which was causing power loss to the fuse box on specific circuits that caused the blower motor to quit, ABS light, brake light, and service 4wd message, and no 4wd. That was that way for a few months since nobody local wanted to mess with it and the dealer is 45 minutes.
 
All that is fixed, but now that the abs is working it is engaging incorrectly. I have driven over 150 miles and still doing it. I had a wheel bearing clicking after long highway runs at 165K so I replaced both hub assemblies without changing wheel speed sensors. Then got a abs light last year and I changed a wheel speed sensor to fix that. I am getting no codes or lights.
 
From all the posts, it sounds like I should clean my wheel speed indicators and the mounting on the hub, then check hubs for wear/slop, then check vehicle speed sensor in transmission. Anything I should add?

#402 of 611 BTW no rusty brakes here by gmc_james

Aug 03, 2011 (9:20 pm)

My 03 GMC Z1 is over 200k in NC with light to medium road salt exposure. It has none of the rusting issues mentioned. I will check plant and manufacture date and get back to you all. There must be a common denominator. We have had a half dozen HDs, 1500s or Z1's between family and friends many with 100k+, mine with 200k+. None with these problems.
 
As for service, it all depends on the dealer and their mechanics. Some are amazing and some are as dumb and helpful as a box of rocks. Just sayin'.

#403 of 611 Re: GM brake failure [gmcustsvc] by barnowl3

Aug 05, 2011 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Aug 02, 2011 9:24 am)
You may want to consider NOT using your GM dealer as their brake lines are obviously faulty and they don't seem to be offering an alternative. The nickel alloy product was also used on my tuck and so far so good. The rest of my lines were replaced with SS, also not available from GM. I have noticed the newer GMs have a coating on the brake lines, but those that are few years older will just continue to fail unexpectedly. Oh well, it's just the brakes on a 5,000 lb truck, no big deal right?

#404 of 611 ABS ???? by harleyd00

Aug 07, 2011 (2:17 pm)

A little while ago my ABS brakes started working even when it didn't need to. I pulled the fuse and now the lights are on all the time. Is the brake module seperate from the pump? or do I have to change the whole thing. Cool it be just a wheel sensor? Seeems like everything that goes wrong with my 2002 Gmc is a common condition!

#405 of 611 Re: ABS ???? [harleyd00] by mrfixit911

Aug 08, 2011 (4:44 am)

Replying to: harleyd00 (Aug 07, 2011 2:17 pm)
at 98,000 miles, I pulled my fuse over a yr ago, after senors checked, hubs changed, master cylinder replaced, The ABS light stays on, no problem with brakes since. I was at the point to never drive the truck again and take it to the auction as I would not be able to sell it to someone knowing it had this problem. Seems from this forum and my friend who is a chevy dealer mechanic, this is better than spending $1000's as there is no actual certain fix, sensors, hubs, brake lines. who knows. Had the Chevy recall to clean sensors , forget when that was, 2-3 yrs ago, , that didn't help. Dealer said bring it in again and expect at least a $1200 fix or more.
 
2002 Chevy 4x4 pick up,

#406 of 611 Re: ABS ???? [mrfixit911] by hateful_jim

Aug 08, 2011 (7:05 pm)

Replying to: mrfixit911 (Aug 08, 2011 4:44 am)
Hateful Jim here- My truck, the 2001 silverado that hit the pole at lowes, once upon a time, the truck would just up and decide it wouldnt crank. Wouldnt do Nuthin', Not all the time, mind you, just sometimes. Chevy said they couldnt find anything wrong with it, NO CODES, NOTHING!! After 3 times in the shop at GM, we told the Chevy Mechanic "TAKE IT HOME AND DRIVE IT FOR A WHILE"--
ABOUT 2 weeks later, the mechanic got up, and went to get in to work, and guess what?? That was finally fixed, but some things never change.
GM DOESNT HAVE A CLUE!! I like what you said about there being "NO ACTUAL CERTAIN FIX", cause thats EXACTLY correct. They cant fix it, cause they dont know what the problem is, just like my "Service 4wd" light. After changing BOTH MOTORS, AND THE SELECTOR SWITCH, I Finally got that fixed, but Chevy couldnt find anything wrong with THAT EITHER. GO FIGURE!!

Messages Page 41 of 62

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