Hello all,
I have a 96 1500 4x2 5.2 that I use almost exclusively for towing and hauling relatively light things (the heaviest it will probably ever see is a flat-bed car hauler with a sedan on it--maybe 5000lbs)
I've been underwhelmed with the brakes since I test drove this thing before purchasing 8 months ago. Aside from that, it is in great condition for its age and mileage.
The brakes when unloaded are OK. They stop the truck decently. When towing, even with trailer brakes, they feel very inadequate. So, I went out and did a little brake testing today with no load. The truck has rear ABS only. I cannot get the rear ABS to activate at all under any circumstances. The rear brakes won't come even close to locking. The fronts will only lock if I literally push with both feet and bottom out the pedal. Even then, they are reluctant. The tires on this truck are good...but not that good. Front brake pads and rotors are new, calipers were replaced by the PO. New drums and shoes (and hardware) in the back. Good quality stock replacement parts used. Brakes have been bled at least twice. After two solid stops from 60 (without any lock-up) with a few minutes rest in between, the brakes were faded to the point of no longer stopping safely. The fronts were very hot, the rear drums were warm but still where I could almost touch the drum. I know the rear brakes don't carry much of the load on an unloaded truck, but I can't even get them to try to lock while unloaded, which means they are doing next to nothing.
Are there any common problems with these trucks that may cause the rear brakes to have reduced effectiveness? The pedal feels good, doesn't sink or feel spongy. The brake hoses were also supposedly replaced by the PO, but I may do them again anyway.
Thanks
I have a 96 1500 4x2 5.2 that I use almost exclusively for towing and hauling relatively light things (the heaviest it will probably ever see is a flat-bed car hauler with a sedan on it--maybe 5000lbs)
I've been underwhelmed with the brakes since I test drove this thing before purchasing 8 months ago. Aside from that, it is in great condition for its age and mileage.
The brakes when unloaded are OK. They stop the truck decently. When towing, even with trailer brakes, they feel very inadequate. So, I went out and did a little brake testing today with no load. The truck has rear ABS only. I cannot get the rear ABS to activate at all under any circumstances. The rear brakes won't come even close to locking. The fronts will only lock if I literally push with both feet and bottom out the pedal. Even then, they are reluctant. The tires on this truck are good...but not that good. Front brake pads and rotors are new, calipers were replaced by the PO. New drums and shoes (and hardware) in the back. Good quality stock replacement parts used. Brakes have been bled at least twice. After two solid stops from 60 (without any lock-up) with a few minutes rest in between, the brakes were faded to the point of no longer stopping safely. The fronts were very hot, the rear drums were warm but still where I could almost touch the drum. I know the rear brakes don't carry much of the load on an unloaded truck, but I can't even get them to try to lock while unloaded, which means they are doing next to nothing.
Are there any common problems with these trucks that may cause the rear brakes to have reduced effectiveness? The pedal feels good, doesn't sink or feel spongy. The brake hoses were also supposedly replaced by the PO, but I may do them again anyway.
Thanks