I have owned my 2001 Silverado (5.3l, Ext. Cab, short bed, Z71) for a few years now. It has always been very weak on braking. My biggest concern is that I cannot even get the ABS to kick in (unless on ice). I have new rotors and pads, had the brake system flushed and bled. One of my tests was driving it home one night when it was raining, on a straight stretch of road (no other traffic around) I stood on the brakes. From 25mph the truck just slowed to a stop. The ABS never made a peep. This tells me the hydraulic pressure is not enough to grab the rotors and lock up the tires. The dealer says this is normal, but my friend also has a 2001 Silverado - non Z71, if he lays on the brakes the ABS kicks in and there is a significant difference in stopping power. Could this be a problem with the master cylinder? I have also heard that air in the ABS unit could be a problem - but I had the system bled at the dealer. I refuse to accept that the brakes just naturally suck.

 

Thats a good one, lets see what the service techs here have to say.

Welcome the the forum!

 

is your tire and wheel combo stock?

 

If it is stock then you need to have the hydraulic system pressure checked.

 

I've got the 4-wheel disc brakes, but I'll stack my 2500HD's braking ability up to the smallest import you can find. Where I live they have to be that good, or you couldn't survive in the traffic. There's always some cupcake in a Honda or Subaru jammin' on his brakes right in front of you here.

MDTAHOE's right again, I'd check the hydraulics. I've noticed a lot of brake shops don't bother bleeding the brakes when they're done the brake job.{God knows why.}

Power bleeding comes to mind. My girlfriend's 01-1500-4X4 stops on a dime.

 

Thanks all,

I am using stock wheels and tire size. It sounds like I should get the hydraulic pressure checked out next. It's too bad right now, aside from the brakes it rides like a Cadillac.
To be continued...

 

sounds like air somewhere to me, wider tires are harder to skid because they lay down a bigger footprint but thats not the case, how is the peddal, is it spongy or firm right at the top