I use my moms 1999 ( 250,000 miles) Tahoe often lately. And have been taking to our mechanic (that we have used for many years) to get back breaks changed on it a couple of years ago (she has not been driving much since then). Well now i have been driving it more and noticed that the brake is soft - it stops but is just softer then I am used to with other vehicles- and it is not squishy where it goes all the way to the ground. But also her ABS is not engaging. The new mechanic told me today that he noticed that the ABS is not making the noises it should at all under the hood. I was wondering if it could be the module or the lines or the hub.....or what other things?

 

Well, any 16 year old vehicle will feel like it has softer brakes than.. well a newer one, however how do you know the ABS isn't working? Is the light on? Many vehicles make no ABS noise, the ABS making a loud funny noise is more of a 1995 thing. My 09 Tahoe, 05 Tribute and 13 Tesla make ZERO abs noise, and since the light isn't on I assume it's doing it's thing just fine.

If you want to improve the pedal feel, I'd suggest checking the system from pads up.

1. new pads all the way around, and rotors if you need. I'm not sure if the 99 was 4 wheel disc, because... well "gm quality". god do I hate drum brakes.

2. New calipers if any show signs of wear/leaking

3. new brake fluid

4. new brake booster.

#4 made a HUGE difference in my 95 Tahoe, mostly because the original failed and I lost power brakes going down a large hill!