skyhawk72

I need some help, I have a 2001 Tahoe with the 5.3 and just recently I noticed something with the brakes. I am getting a pulsing out of the pedal, only at low speeds right before it comes to a complete stop. It doesnt do it all the time, I just cant figure out what it could be. The brake fluid is fine, and the brakes only have about 2500 miles on them. It is 4x4, any help is appreciated.
Thanks
Will

in2pro

Pulsing out of the pedal could be the ABS, pulsing or the feel of pulsing is warpped rotors

73shark

Warped rotors. Could be caused by a stuck caliper.

skyhawk72

I thought it may be the rotors too, but it doesnt seem to get any worse or better when I apply the brakes. Also, when you just hit the brakes to slow down at lets say 40 you dont get the same feel on the pedal, no pulsing.

73shark

That's because at speed, the rotor is turning too fast to allow the pad to follow the warp.

in2pro

That has been my exp with warpped rotors, you dont feel it until you get close to stopping you may also feel it in the steering wheel with a slight back and forth motion if you let it go or grip it lightly. I have also had them "unwarp" temporarily by applying alot of brake and getting the rotors hot enough to expand and the problem temporarly goes away. I don't recomend that as a fix.
Depending on how you drive a new set of rotors will wrap again in a few thousand miles, I guessing that since you said the brakes only have 2500 miles on them that the rotors are new?
could be cheap replacement rotors, or as shark suggested inconsistent caliper pressure.
if you replace the calipers I would also replace the rubber brake line as well, the rubber gets old and can swell inside and cause inconsistent braking.

73shark

Also improper break-in of new pads will cause problems.

Hoelicow

I had the same problem on my '97 'Hoe. The rotors were warped.

in2pro

Consumer reports some time back gave a "poor" rating to the 1997 Chevy Tahoe on the brakes.

V70tdi

I also have pulsing pedal and sound from the ABS system just before stop and at low speed up toabout 20 km/h
In my case its the ABS system that goes crazy but no trouble codes are found [X(]One of the sensors for the wheel speed is what i suspect but havent got time to investigate it yet when we are out on a road trip in Russia now.