Brake Issues

[Jon Boy]

I have a 98 4 door hoe. The brake pedal started getting mushy feeling and the idle was erratic. So I thought it was the booster. I changed it out and the brakes still feel like crap. So I then bled all the lines. Still the same. I put new pads on the front and checked the rear. They looked good. It really feels like the rear brakes are not even working. If I get on gravel or anything slick my ABS kicks in. While pulling my boat I have literally had to put two feet on the pedal to get it to stop. My fronts are working so hard that now the rotors are warped. I am at a total loss as to what is going on. Any one have any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[blk87brd]

Have you adjusted the rears anytme in the oast several months?
On my Tahoe (99) I serviced and adjusted the rears every spring and fall. If I didn't I found it took a lot more effort to stop and I warped rotos.
If you have been putting the rear axle is water, your rear brakes likely aren't doing any braking or very little.

 

[Jon Boy]

I pulled the rear drums off yesterday and again the shoes looked good. I sanded them and the drums. Adjusted them to where I could barely get the drums on. I noticed that where you usually turn the adjusters is plugged off. I thought these would automatically adjust. Should I drill out the plugs and adjust them manually. It has been in some water but they were not working properly before that.

 

[blk87brd]

There are normally cur out blanks in the backing plate. If you look closely you should be able to see them, behind the adjusters. Use a small chiesel and a hammer, punch them out. Now you should be able to adjust the brakes while the hub is on the vehicle. Set them up so you can just turn the tire, then take it for a drive of at least 5 kilometres round trip. Feel the hubs. If they are extremely hot you may have to back them off a little but you should have very good braking from the rear axle.

 

[blk87brd]

Just a note: After I hit send I rememberede to tell you to be sure to get the plugs for the cut outs in the backing plate.

 

[Jon Boy]

Ok thanks. I will try that and see how it goes. Can you pick those plugs up at the local parts store or is it a dealer only piece?

 

[mygreen98]

could be a bad master cylinder.

 

[Jon Boy]

Ok got me some of the rubber plugs. Will try to adjust the rear brakes this weekend. I definitely know that I need two new rotors on the front. Upon further inspection I found out that dumb a$$ me thought it had plenty of brake fluid. :ktoe: It looked like it, but when I removed the cap to check it was low. Put more fluid in and it is already better than before. Hopefully I will have this fixed soon and on to the suspension.

 

[jwpotts0413]

my vote is the master cylinder for sure. mine has same symptoms and i need a new master cylinder. a tell tale sign is that it pulls to one side when braking hard and immediately pulls to one side when u first press the brake. another symptom is the brake pedal feels mushy