Rear Breaks on Silverado

[qhgirl]

Hello Everyone, I have introduced myself in the introductions page, but I will update you here also. I have a 2002 - 1500 Silverado 4x4 shortbed that I use as my normal vehicle. I also pull my trailer with it. I haul 6-10 times a year... so not alot compared to some.

I have $55,000 miles on my truck and get normal maint repair work, tires rotated, oil changes and such at the dealer, just because I am a girl and I always have them check my truck over quickly to verify things are good. That is why I pay the price I do, for that verification.

The other day I took my truck in and they called to tell me that my rear breaks have ZERO pads left and I am almost through my rotors. I am livid. My front are fine. WHAT in the world could cause this? I have not had my breaks replaced, front or back. I of course had to go out of town on a trip the following day and had to have them change them, but you are looking at $800 GM parts to replace it.

I questioned them and they informed me that ALL silverado trucks use their rear breaks up before front. Has anyone heard of this or are they pulling the wool over my eyes.

My truck has had it's fair share of problems with the front end.... I would not be surprised if something else is "wrong" with it.

THANKS for any info. I tried doing a search on this topic but nothing came up.

[mrjohnwayne]

I think they are trying to pull on over on you. If everything is operating normally you should replace the front atleast twice before the rear. The rear only acounts for about 30 % of total vehicle braking. And as often as you pull a trailer I don't see why there would be excessive wear. If the pads were metal to metal as they suggested then there should be a high pitched squeal if not a distinct grinding sound coming from them. I'd go have a 2nd opinion done at another dealership. Hope this helps..

[tdyer]

I agree with John. Someone is feeding you a line. First of all, I need someone to answert this: Do the 2002 Silverados have Disc Brakes? I thought they still used Drum Brakes. I have a 94 Silverado and had a 99 Sierra. My 99 still had drums. I just replaced the Drum Brakes on my 94 for the first time ever, and they still had some pad left. If you have Drum Brakes, then there is no way they should be used up. They also shouldn't be referring to "rotors", if they're drums. On the other had, if they are Disc Brakes, they may wear faster than the old drum brakes, but still should not wear faster than the front, unless something has gone wrong. You may have either lost a pad or had a caliper freeze up on you. But like John said, you should have heard or felt something was wrong. You can easily check the pads yourself by either peeking through your wheels or removing them. I'd get a second opinion at the very least. I also wouldn't go to a dealer which typically costs more. Good Luck.

[gmtech]

No this is a normal condition in any kind of rusty enviroments. I work at a dealer as many of you know and this has been a problem with the rear disc brakes and even some of the front disc brakes also. The rotors rust/pit which wears the pads prematurely and do to all the pitting we are unable to machine them. The also have parking brake shoes under the rotors that have had alot of problems do to the rust. If you are the origninal owner of the truck and ***** a little to gm you may get some assisitance but they usualy only do it up to 50k but have seen them do it beyond and if you are in a northern or rusty climate they maybe willing to assist you. Most of the time they will pick up the parts and you pay labor. I hope this helps. The newer 05 and 06 trucks went back to drums because they say they have better stooping ability but I'm sure it has alot to do with the problems they have had with the rear rotors also.

[qhgirl]

Yes I am from Indiana... Major weather changes and rust. I did however find a few more things out. I guess it is a common problem which makes me so mad at GM for this.

Talks about putting Mud flaps on! LINK

This one talks about ALL the complaints on stopping. HOLY COW! LINK

[Kevin Hod]

I have ran into this problem two times before. If there is a small air bubble in your front brake line it will not allow the front brakes to do there share and then you push harder and the back brakes work twice as hard and ware twice as fast.

However I would also get a second opinion. Also that is way too much money for a simple brake job. Just take it to some where like Midas and they can do the job for 1/2 or 1/4 of the price. I have a 02 Silveradoe and the rear brakes just are not that complicated.
By the way, my truck has 75,000 on it and the brakes look as good as new, with no mud flaps. Not braging, just to let you know that the flaps are not the answer. (Indiana also)

[chevyguy]

If they are worn then it really doesnt matter. Just replace them and replace the drums/rotors. I wouldnt pay GM to do it, I would save a few bucks and do it yourself for less than 1/3 the cost.