Tahoe & Suburban The power, space, and brutal towing ability make the Tahoe and its longer sibling, the Suburban, arguably the best full size SUV's on the market today.

2013 Chevrolet Suburban
Platform: GMT 400, 800, 900

brake problem 1998 burban

Old Feb 8, 2012 | 9:22 PM
  #1  
briansburban1998's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Default brake problem 1998 burban

i have a 1998 burban and sometimes when i push the brakes down they dont seem to stop me . its like they are only half working will only slow you down about 10 miles a hour but if you let off and push them down again they work right . but it does not do it all the time only sometimes please help me it is a 1500 chevy suburban 350 vortek motor and a 4l60e tranny
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 10:06 PM
  #2  
EinST's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 5
Default

Welcome to the forum. Is there any differences in pedal travel and also force required between when it acts up and when it works? When you turn the key on, do the bulb test light the ABS and BRAKE warning indicators?
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 6:24 AM
  #3  
briansburban1998's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Default

yes there is a difference in the pedal when they dont work the pedal seems to push down real easy and it goes almost to the floor . when i turn the key on the ab light comes on like it should and the brake light does too
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 7:00 AM
  #4  
jplinville's Avatar
CF Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Default

Have you checked the fluid? Is the level proper? Is it brown/milky and dirty? Is there a puddle of break fluid under your truck?
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 8:01 AM
  #5  
jrsavoie's Avatar
CF Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Clifton
Default

Also check your rear brakes.It seems on these vehicles the emergency brake is the adjuster for the back brakes. If you don't use the emergency brake the back brakes don't get adjusted.I'm assuming you've checked you front brakes out already.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:11 AM
  #6  
briansburban1998's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Default

yes i have checked all of them and they are good ( less than 2 months old but i check them anyways but it did it befor i changed them an still is doing it ) the e brake works really good too . the break fluid is at the proper level it has me confused i dont even dare to drive it no more because you never know when it is going to mess up !
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:12 AM
  #7  
briansburban1998's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Beginner
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Default

could it be the master cyclinder going bad ? or something to do with that darn abs ? or the brake boster
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 11:49 AM
  #8  
EinST's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 5
Default

You changed the front brake pads? If you pushed the old fluid from the caliper back into the system like usually done, you might have crud keeping the ABS dump/isolation valves from closing fully. The ABS self-diagnostics were pretty crude in those days and thus the ABS warning light is useless in those cases. Consider taking it in for service.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 3:19 PM
  #9  
in2pro's Avatar
Administrator
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,573
Likes: 47
From: Austin, Texas
Default

I would suspect the Master cylinder and or the booster...
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 3:35 PM
  #10  
jplinville's Avatar
CF Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Default

Bleed the system again, check the gasket on the master cylinder cap for wear, and check the booster for vacuum leaks.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 3:35 AM.