Ok guys, I need some serious help. I have a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup, and two weeks ago it started having brake problems. I took it to the garage, and the mechanic replaced the brake pads. Cost me $130.00. A day later, I drove it to work in the morning and didn't have any troubles. Later that afternoon on my way home, the truck started bucking while braking, and eventually the brakes started to stick. I called the garage and was told to bring it in again. The next day I picked up the truck, this time with new rotors. Cost me an additional $200.00. Again, I drove the truck to work the next morning without any problems. Later that afternoon, about half way home, the brakes started sticking again. BAD! I dropped the truck off at the garage again, and he worked on it for two days. When I got the truck back, I was told that he replaced the brake pads again, replaced the rotors again, installed new brake hoses, and had to add a quart of brake fluid. He also told me that he had a hard time getting the brake lines to pump up and fill with fluid. So I basically got a whole new front end as far as brakes. This time the mechanic wants $640.00. As of now, I have yet to pay it.
The next day I drove the truck again to work, again without any problems. While at work, my wife calls me and tells me she lost the brakes on her 1999 Buick Park Avenue. I left work early to meet her, had my Dad help tow her home, then took my truck to run some errands. While returning home from my errands, the truck brakes started sticking again, worse then ever before. When I got home I had smoke rolling out from under the front wheel wells. Pretty sure I warped the rotors again. This past weekend, fellow member ckjakline (Craig) helped me bleed the front lines going to the brakes, we blead the front lines going to the master cylinder, and cracked open the front lines where they connect to the ABS system. We also pulled the master cylinder out from the baffle just in case there was air in there. We put everything back together, took it for a test drive and everything seemed to working great. Yesterday I took the family to church in the truck, which is about a twenty minute drive each way, and again, no problems at all.
Well, tonight while coming home, I got about half way home when the brakes started sticking again, or at least that's what I think it is. Oddly though, while I was traveling around 35 miles per hour, the truck started bucking as if I had bubbles on the tread of the tires. Not side-to-side like you would if you had a tire out of balance, but more front to back bucking. There was no wobble in the steering wheel at all, but the seats were wobbling big time! Almost gave me a liver quiver. While braking I left go of the steering wheel, just to see if it pulls to one side or the other, and there was no pulling whatsoever.
So what is you opinion as far as my problem? Should I pay the garage the $640.00 for something that still isn't fixed right? Right now I'm as hot as the front wheels on my truck, and I'm out of ideas as to where to start looking again. Could it be my ABS acting up? Could it be my 7 year old master cylinder went bad? If I pull the ABS fuse, would that by-pass the ABS braking system to try and eliminate things? Can the temperature of the day effect the braking system this bad? It seems to only happen in the afternoons when the sun is at it's highest point.
Oh, as far as my wife's car? It turned out to be a split brake hose on the left front wheel. Replaced the line and added fluid for less than $25.00. Again, Thanks to Craig and his help, her car was the easy fix!
Edited by johndeereelfman, July 14, 2014 - 04:53 PM.
