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Chevrolet Blazer Brake Problems

116 messages,  Last post on Oct 07, 2012 at 4:46 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Blazer, GMC, SUV

    

Messages Page 10 of 13

#82 of 116 Re: Brakes making whoosing sound [katherine4] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 30, 2008 (9:17 am)

Replying to: katherine4 (May 29, 2008 12:06 pm)
Could be a vacuum leak, yes. Other signs would be a very hard brake pedal and a sense of decreasing brake grip.You'd feel like you are pushing harder but getting less braking.

#83 of 116 1986 S10 Blazer Braking Equilizer Valve by blazernyc86

Jun 06, 2008 (2:50 pm)

The valve next to the master cylinder (I believe it is referred to as the "Equilizer Valve" - where the brake lines come out of) has leaked for quite some time, but now the wheels lock-up at times when the brake is applied. I have been trying to get a replacement, however, since the vehicle is 22 years old, the part is no longer manufactured by Chevrolet. I went to a junk yard and bought a replacement twice with both leaking after installation - what luck! I am at wits end with the situation and am looking for alternative sources at this point.
 
Does anyone know of a rebuild kit I can purchase? Or a place that still manufactures the part? Thanks.
 
Bill

#84 of 116 00 Blazer rear brakes by vettman1

Jun 29, 2008 (7:16 pm)

I had the pads,rotors , and brake hoses replaced and the right rear brake still heats up a lot and smells.
Any other thoughts on how to fix it.

#85 of 116 Re: 00 Blazer rear brakes [vettman1] by jlflemmons

Jun 30, 2008 (7:34 am)

Replying to: vettman1 (Jun 29, 2008 7:16 pm)
Change the caliper. They cost about $40 for a rebuilt, and are available lots of places. These calipers do not "reset" well, and the piston tends to bind and stick, causing the pad to drag (sometimes REALLY drag) and overheat.
 
Had the same problem on my '99 model.

#86 of 116 Re: 00 Blazer rear brakes [jlflemmons] by steve_ HOST

Jun 30, 2008 (8:16 am)

Replying to: jlflemmons (Jun 30, 2008 7:34 am)
I always associate calipers and pads with disc brakes. I guess the "wheel cylinder" gizmo with the piston in it amounts to about the same thing (but they act on "brake shoes"). I'm assuming that the Blazer has rear drums?
 
One of my rear drums imploded last month and I wound up having to get a wheel kit (bearings etc.) in addition to a brake job. Not cheap.

#87 of 116 Re: 00 Blazer rear brakes [steve_] by jlflemmons

Jun 30, 2008 (4:47 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (Jun 30, 2008 8:16 am)
Ah, a tricky question. The Blazer has drum parking brake, but disc service brake. the drum is an integral part of the rotor. The parking brakes generally do not cause a problem unless the parking brake cable is binding from road salt or some other cause. The caliper sticking after being pressed back in on a brake job is very common, which is one reason the rebuilt calipers are so cheap. It is pretty much a given that if you are doing a rear brake job you have a high risk of caliper failure after reassembly.
 
The front calipers are all steel and have a very long service life. The rear calipers are aluminum with phenolic (non-metallic) pistons.

#88 of 116 Re: 00 Blazer rear brakes [jlflemmons] by steve_ HOST

Jun 30, 2008 (9:06 pm)

Replying to: jlflemmons (Jun 30, 2008 4:47 pm)
Heh, it's usually the parking brake mechanism in rear disc brakes that give people fits. That, and the binding that comes from never using the parking brake (guilty ).
 
Thanks for the inside scoop!

#89 of 116 Re: 00 Blazer rear brakes [steve_] by jlflemmons

Jul 01, 2008 (6:07 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Jun 30, 2008 9:06 pm)
The rear parking brake on a Blazer is actually a very simple design. No hydraulics or anything, just step on the pedal, and the cable pulls against a pivot lever and wedges the shoes into the drum.
 
But the rear calipers are really, really cheaply made. I have now learned that when doing a rear brake job on a Blazer, figure in the cost of rear calipers. Also, for whatever reason the rear rotors tend to warp. They can be turned and smoothed out, but I am two for two on my personal Blazers having warped rear rotors, when the fronts were smooth as glass. May have something to do with the dual drum/rotor casting.

#90 of 116 Re: 00 Blazer rear brakes [vettman1] by jimmy99slt

Jul 03, 2008 (1:43 am)

Replying to: vettman1 (Jun 29, 2008 7:16 pm)
caliper sticking, did mine today and have the same problem,as always with this thing this forum tells me whats wrong because they all do the same things almost as if this vehicle was designed to keep repair shops in business,

#91 of 116 Another cause of sticking by jlflemmons

Jul 03, 2008 (7:42 pm)

and one I had never seen before this one. Front caliper would release very slowly after taking your foot off the pedal. Replaced caliper, and durned if it didn't do it again!
 
Get this, the inner lining of the rubber brake line had deteriorated and would allow fluid to flow freely one direction, but would separate and restrict the release. Replaced both front brake lines, purged the fluid to get rid of the trash in the line, and all was good.
 
Never saw that one before or since.

Messages Page 10 of 13

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