2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Brakes!!!!!!!!!!!!! My GOD, what now?

[JSmith]

To help stop the truck I had the 1 ton cyl`s installed. This was about 3 months ago. Now when I apply the brakes the truck vibrates. It is like a part of the brakes has come loose. Has anyone else fought this? What was the fix?

 

[krs]

Maybe something DID come loose?

 

[Lnwing]

Any time my truck starts to vibrate or pulse it's meant that the rotors are warped and it's time to replace them again!! Also, keep the rear drums adjusted: I try for every 5,000 miles. The automatic adjusters don't seem to work reliably.

 

[GMincher]

If it only vibrates when you brake... . Rotors!

 

[bodacious]

If rear axle seal leaks it can get oil on the brake lining an make it vibrate

 

[Bseg]

bodacious made a good point, I just put another rear seal in on my pass side. It wasn't leaking enough to get on the shoes but eventually it would have.

 

[KWentling]

If you had the shoes replaced, it could be that the new shoes don't quite match the radius of the drum. If the leading and trailing edges only make contact, they can chatter. I've got that problem on mine with Wagoner shoes from NAPA. Someone here discovered the cause. He was able to bend the shoes so the center made contact and cured his problem. I haven't got around to trying that with mine. I was hoping that they would wear in, but at last tire rotation and with about 13,000 miles, I still only had maybe 40% contact. Cleaning the brake dust out of the drum seemed to help for a while.



Kim

 

[WestTN]

It could also be..

That you increased the braking load on the rear drums and one or both has warped. You need to look at both ends.

 

[mbaston]

Get an exhaust brake. I hardly touch my brakes when empty and probably 2/3 less when loaded. My last truck had 150,000 miles and still had the factory brakes. My current truck has 57,000 miles and when I replaced the tires, I was told my brakes were still at 90%!!

 

[y-knot]

Yes an exhaust brake is great, but that hardly helps the guy with a braking problem. I am sorry to hear about your brakes, but it is not the fault of the truck. The system works great when everything is right, your problems sound like they are the result of not doing a complete brake job, and just replacing a few of the cheaper parts. I am not sure how many miles are on your truck, but I would bet that they still have the original drums. They may or may not be turnable, but they sure sound like they are bad. The brakes work as a system, they rely of each other for consistent, safe operation. They need to be addressed as a unit, not as a part. This is why so many on here have brake problems, they piece mill it, and in trying to save a buck they cost themselves a problem. New pads or shoes should never go on a old or unturned rotor or drum. Also for the best results, the front and rears should be replaced together as a unit. The larger rear wheel cylinders are a great way to gain additional rear brake. If I was you I would put the truck on jack stands and take a very good look at both the front and back brakes. Replace what is worn with quality parts and start over.

 

[mbaston]

Oh, I don't know, once fixed, it could keep him from having future problems!