Brake problem
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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Brake problem
As of lately I've been experiencing something quite scary... Sometimes my brakes work like they should but most of the time, the only way they will work is when I have plenty of room to stop and can do so very slowly... When I try to stomp on the brake pedal, the truck wants to skid and tries to roll right through the stop. First, I was curious, do our truck brake with only the front brakes? And secondly, I had to replace the factory air pump on the truck with one from oreillys and it lasted a year before it literally tore itself apart at the bearing!!!! At the same time I replaced the stock brake booster too with an oreillys one. So I replaced it with the same one because I had a lifetime warranty on it. Is this pump giving the truck the pressure it needs? Also, I had all new custom brake lines put on the front and the rear so they are all in good shape. Please help me, I DO NOT want to rear end someone and loose this truck, I know y'all understand! So any advice welcome
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,426
Likes: 5,509
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
jack up the truck till the wheels are off the ground. stuff jack stands under the frame.
start the engine and put the trans in gear. step on the brakes. if the rear wheels do not stop turning the rear brakes are not working.
or they may stop turning, but the brakes are so far out of adjustment that they will just stop them jacked up but not work when moving.
start the engine and put the trans in gear. step on the brakes. if the rear wheels do not stop turning the rear brakes are not working.
or they may stop turning, but the brakes are so far out of adjustment that they will just stop them jacked up but not work when moving.
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Senior User
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I didn't post this question for someone to tell me to go take it to a shop, so thanks for the really helpful advice diesel brad, you've been more helpful to me than anyone I've talked to!!!!! No, I posted the question so I could learn and do it myself... Who do you think does all the work on my truck, the shop? LOL
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
Brakes are NOT something to learn on. And your thinking that the truck only had front brakes from the factory only validates my point
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Yreka, CA
Not knowing about his trucks brakes only validates the purpose of this forum. We're here to help educate people. No reason for a DIY mechanic to know how to do brakes if he's never had to do them before.
Check out youtube for a video on changing drum brakes. There's a few good ones that walk you all the way through it.
Check out youtube for a video on changing drum brakes. There's a few good ones that walk you all the way through it.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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I know the rear has drum brakes. I've actually changed them a couple of times when the e-brake cable was stretched and didn't disengage. I'm asking what could be the problem, as it is likely not a mechanical failure, it seems like a pressure issue almost. Also, I'm a mechanical engineer, I think I know what I'm talking about. I'm asking for specific guidance
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,426
Likes: 5,509
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
the rear brakes are not mechanical. they are hydraulic. they work in conjunction with the fronts to stop. roughly 60% front to 40% rear.
the parking brake is mechanical, but that is a completely different circuit. the only thing the two have in common is that they both use the shoes and drums.
if your rear wheel cylinders are seized,one of the lines to the rear is plugged, or the rear shoes are way out of adjustment the rear brakes will not work.
the parking brake is mechanical, but that is a completely different circuit. the only thing the two have in common is that they both use the shoes and drums.
if your rear wheel cylinders are seized,one of the lines to the rear is plugged, or the rear shoes are way out of adjustment the rear brakes will not work.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,097
Likes: 1,502
From: western SD
As of lately I've been experiencing something quite scary... Sometimes my brakes work like they should but most of the time, the only way they will work is when I have plenty of room to stop and can do so very slowly... When I try to stomp on the brake pedal, the truck wants to skid and tries to roll right through the stop. First, I was curious, do our truck brake with only the front brakes? And secondly, I had to replace the factory air pump on the truck with one from oreillys and it lasted a year before it literally tore itself apart at the bearing!!!! At the same time I replaced the stock brake booster too with an oreillys one. So I replaced it with the same one because I had a lifetime warranty on it. Is this pump giving the truck the pressure it needs? Also, I had all new custom brake lines put on the front and the rear so they are all in good shape. Please help me, I DO NOT want to rear end someone and loose this truck, I know y'all understand! So any advice welcome
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2011
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The pedal seems to vary a lot which is why I thought it was pressure related... Also I thought that maybe the cheap vaccum maybe te issue. So I might start with replacing the wheel cyclinders first, then if that isn't it I'll try a quality vacuum pump??
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 11,132
Likes: 3
From: Southern West Virginia
The rear brakes on these trucks are a constant hassle it seems like. Before you buy wheel cylinders, pull the drums and check the condition of the brake shoes. Have someone step on the pedal while you have the drums off and see if the wheel cylinders are pushing the shoes apart like they should. You may not need wheel cylinders. May just need shoes replaced or just adjusted up. If the self adjusters aren't working properly, which they tend not to quite often, you may just need to adjust them.
As far as the intermittent braking, sounds like your vacuum pump could be on it's way out, or the booster. Which one depends on if the pedal is hard or soft when you are having the stopping problem. If the pedal is hard to push, more than likely it's the vacuum pump. If it just kinda squishes all the way to the floor, then more than likely it's the booster.
As far as the intermittent braking, sounds like your vacuum pump could be on it's way out, or the booster. Which one depends on if the pedal is hard or soft when you are having the stopping problem. If the pedal is hard to push, more than likely it's the vacuum pump. If it just kinda squishes all the way to the floor, then more than likely it's the booster.