Hey guys,

My brakes have been at random hanging up while I drive. If the truck sits a while they seem to get better, but they will at random be stuck on, then release, then later be stuck on again. So far I have had smoke from both fronts, and one rear one.

The way I can tell while driving is the brake pedal gets really hard (firm) when a brake is hanging up. It comes and goes...

In an effort to fix this, I have replaced all rotors, calipers, and pads. Front driver's hose (cause it has been the most consistent one to lock up) I have pulled the ABS fuse, and tried it with no diff.

I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do next. Advice?
Thanks in advance.
ben

 

When u did the calipers, did the slide pins move freely that the caliper mounts too? Did it get worse with the new thicker pads? Is your brake fluid reservoir overfull as in all the way to the top? That will cause that problem. Does it do the problem towing or empty or both?

If all that is good, i would guess its the master cylinder. I asked those questions as a way to get more info. I just threw out a few free solutions in the process. Hopefully, it will be one of those. However, I doubt it is one of those.

 

Yeah, I replaced all the slide pins on all four calipers when I did the brake job. The problem is not any worse now than before the brake job. I haven't towed anything since the brake job, so the truck is doing this empty. I'll check the reservoir level. I believe it is at max right now.... I did flush the fluid from system when doing the brake job as a PM measure.
I think I'm going to do the master cylinder tonight unless anyone else has a suggestion.
Thanks

 

When you replaced the slide pins, did you use the "updated" pin with the rubber gourmet on it? I have had no luck with those, and removed them shortly after installation due to the caliper hanging. I had to use channel locks to remove those pins they were so tight. (well lubed, and the boots were in good repair) No rubber for me.

 

I would go with a master cylinder also if it was me if i replaced the calipers and flex hoses first.

 

I had done the "updated" pins also some time ago.... Mine too where stuck solid when I replaced the brakes last week. I went with just regular old replacement pins this time. Autozone has a complete master cylinder in stock, so I'll be grabbing that shortly.

thanks

 

It is probably too late but Goood luck .

cw

 

Well I installed the new master cyl Sunday. Drove the truck for two days now with out any issues so I think the master cyl was the original issue. I found a ton of green corrosion inside the master cyl, and the vacuum pump thing. I cleaned that all out, and opened up the drain hole that was in the bottom of the casting.
The master cylinder was also a PITA to get loose.... corroded nearly solid and required an air chisel to get it to pop loose.
Thanks for all the help guys.