Brake Problems

[nnunez]

1996 Silverado, 5.0, 2wd, swb, black, etc, etc.....

I replaced the brake rotors, calipers, bearings, seals, hoses, and pads. It still shimmies a lot when I press the brake pedal.

When I press the brake pedal, it pulls to the left, the steering wheel rocks back and forth and the entire truck vibrates also.

If I slam the brakes it will pull a little but not as much as if I press the pedal under normal conditions.

I lifted each front wheel individually and there is no movement on any axis.

My next move is to do the rear breaks.

It is a little scary because it feels as if one of the wheels is about to pop off.

Any ideas from anyone here other than the rear brakes?

[mrjohnwayne]

the rear brakes won't cause the shimmy or pull. I wonder if it might have something to do with the abs system.

[mudseeker]

you may have torqued the nut down to tight on the spindle and the bearings may be binding or something. i think the nut is supposed to be torqued to 40 pounds or so and then backed off and finger tightened.

[nnunez]

I dont know what the deal is.

I did forget to mention that it gets worst when the brakes are hot.

It just feels like a wheel is loose or something like that.......

[436'd skylark]

Have your front wheels balanced, and check your suspension componets. when you apply your brakes, alot of weight transfers to the front of the truck, hence the squatting and leaning forward. when this happens, a small problem is ussually magnified greatly by the transfer when braking. the extra pressure makes the problem worse. while the problem isn't the brakes, the problem only happens when the brakes are used. Normally leads to alot of confusion and mis-diagnosing.

[nnunez]

I had my wheels balanced recently and I am about to install new front springs (since the previous owner lowered it) and then we'll see how that goes.

My wheels are moving and I am also enroute to change ball joints, a frame bushings and all steering components as well.

It is a great truck and I'd like to keep it.