2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Over sensitive brakes

[claykelly]

Hello all, obviously I'm new here, but I've finally decided to join up after several years of "free loading".



Anyway, maybe someone can shed some light on this. I've got '99 3500 4x4 DRW that was just purchased a week ago. Was told it just had all new brakes installed, front end "gone through", aligned, etc. I don't have detailed information on the repairs, but I trust the person I bought it from.

The brake pedal is incredibly sensitive, barely touch the pedal and your face is into the windshield. I've also got a 99 2500 4x4 SRW that is "normal", I've driven several others so I've got a good idea of what it should be like. The rear brakes seem the worst, front is almost as tight though. If empty, breathing on the brake pedal locks up the rear at low speed.



Also, the 3500 is an AT, while the 2500 is a 5sp, the AT truck has a really snappy throttle response off idle in park, while the 5sp truck is sorta soggy off idle, but seems to run fine otherwise.



Any ideas, especially on the brake issue?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Snow man]

Id pull the rear drums and see if the axle seals are bad. Also if they replaced the seals recently,but not the rear shoes it will do that sometimes. My brakes are overly sensitive when wet after a rain,after the first 2 stops there fine. Its been this way since new.

 

[claykelly]

I haven't pulled the drums, but there's no sign of leakage or anything around the rear backing plates. The front grabs almost as hard too, if it were just the back I'd definately look into those, but this is like the whole brake system is overly touchy.

It's very similar to the wet brake syndrome, my 92 W250 used to do that too, but this doesn't go away. I drove it down the interstate for about 3 hours and across town and it never settles down.

How does the master cylinder/booster work on these trucks, doesn't seem to be hydroboost. I'm thinking this has to be the source of my problem, but I'm not sure what to look for.