Brakes problem

When i drive my 99 silverado z71 5.3, it feels like the front brakes are not working. I can feel the rear brakes applying and it feels like they are the only thing stopping my truck. I have not done any work to my brakes so i dont htink it is air in the lines, and the pads are not too low, but they could be changed. My ABS lite and parking brake light are on, but they came on last year and i havent made the time to check the codes. But its a year later and just now are the brakes giving me problems. Any ideas on what to check until i can get the codes read?

Thanks

Um... take that shit to Autozone and get the codes read.

Drive around for a year with the fix me lights on? Those are there for a reason..

Any ideas on what to check until i can get the codes read?

What else should i check until i get to codes read?

You should probably park it because it's basically un-safe. It sounds like you have lost half of your brake system.

deh deh deh !!!!!!!!!

You should probably park it because it's basically un-safe. It sounds like you have lost half of your brake system.

Yup, I'm definitely going with you on this one!

Ok, i am a nice guy adnd i appreciate help when i get it. Posting comments like i should park the truck, has absolutely NOTHING to do with the problem at hand. The truck is parked by the way if you were wondering. I am talking about trying to diagnose and repair the truck. Part of diagnostics may require driving the truck down the street and back to figure out whats going on. Like i said, i am a nice guy but those comments dont help me get the problem fixed.

Does anyone have any usefull info that they can input? Thanks

Is the fluid low, possibly caused by leaking out the front half of the system (like in the pistons)? Do these trucks have proportioning valves? I've heard no, but there should be something in the system that does the same function if it has ABS. Maybe whatever that is has failed. Pull each front wheel, crack the bleeder and have somebody pump the brakes and check for pressure indicated by fluid shooting out the bleeder. Apply the front brakes (bleeder closed again) and see if you can turn the wheel by hand. Does the pedal drop to the floor when pushed, feel spongy, etc., or does it feel normal? Any strange sounds when braking (grinding, etc)? Depending on what access to tools you have, there's ways to test the master cylinder, brake pressure, etc. I'm no brake technician, but these are the things I'd check before taking it to somebody to service it if it was mine.

:evillol: Of course, I'd have checked all this before a year passed. :evillol:

...Sorry, couldn't resist jumping on the ribbing bandwagon.

Ok, i am a nice guy adnd i appreciate help when i get it. Posting comments like i should park the truck, has absolutely NOTHING to do with the problem at hand. The truck is parked by the way if you were wondering. I am talking about trying to diagnose and repair the truck. Part of diagnostics may require driving the truck down the street and back to figure out whats going on. Like i said, i am a nice guy but those comments dont help me get the problem fixed.

Does anyone have any usefull info that they can input? Thanks

Sorry there. It looks like my point (and Sonny's) was unintentionally misunderstood. Since you stated that you were still driving the truck in the first post, it seemed to me to be safer to park it until you could really look into it. Now we know that you have done so.

Since ABS is involved, you might not spot a problem visually. It IS a good idea to check things like fluid level, sign of leaks, hose condition, wiring and the such. Once you have done that, then check the codes, which will give you a better idea what is going on. Post those to the forum and then some of the more qualified brake people can possibly shed more light and narrow the scope of your problem. Brake systems are very complex now, as I am sure you know, and are getting much more difficult to work on other than the parts that are "designed to wear out". So, with that said, good luck on your truck and keep us updated on what you gleen from the computer.

Sincerely,
Matt

You mentioned that you have not touched your brakes since 1999. It could be that the pads are worn out and have failed. The lights come up prior to them failing so that you can get them replaced before they do fail. How many miles do you have on the truck?

The lights come up prior to them failing so that you can get them replaced before they do fail.

Exactly. That's why I asked about fluid levels and noise. If the pads get too thin, there can be a low fluid level in the master cylinder, since all the fluid is now in the lines, causing the brake light to come on. If the pads were gone, I'm sure you'd hear and feel the grinding. I had a pad separate from the backing and fly apart once on my mother-in-law's Explorer. The sound of pad backing rubbing on disc is very obvious.

First off, thanks guys for the input. If i came off as a ass, i am sorry it was not intended. To clear things up, i bought the truck last november from a good dealership here. The truck now has 132,000 on it. I thought that i might be leaking brake fluid as a possibility but the master cyl is full, and i havent been able to find any kind of leaking from my truck. The pads started sqeeking, but not grinding like the pads are too low. I know they are low, but they are not grinding on the rivits. Pads coming this weekend i hope (well everything fixed this weekend i hope lol). If an abs sensor fails, could it do this? I am going to go to autozone on Saturday to use their code reader. I havent checked the brake lines but with no leaks i couldnt see them being bad. As soon as i find anything i will let you guys know

The brake light staying on in the dash indicates that the front /rear proportioning valve is comprimized . Bleeding them may not reset the sensor . Not sure how to do it either . I had this on my older truck but can't remember what I did . If you don't have fluid leaking , it may be the master cylinder . It has 2 seperate systems in it to stop you when one fails but fluid will not come out of the front side . You should be able to see turbulance in the resourvor when the peddle is pressed hard . Rob

Ok, got my truck diagnosed and it is the master cyl that went out. I am trying to get a new one but after 4 different part stores, no one has them in stock. Looks like it gonna be on order for a day or so. Going to check out the codes later today and will update you guys with the codes.