03 Silverado brakes locking up

My brakes are locking up on my 03 silverado and it has a slight shake and vibration from time to time. Before I put new pads on truck it would shake badly side to side when applying brakes. I'm sure its just the front brakes locking up. I replaced a caliper thinking that was it, but wasnt. any ideas or past expierences with this issue? Thanks

My brakes are locking up on my 03 silverado and it has a slight shake and vibration from time to time. Before I put new pads on truck it would shake badly side to side when applying brakes. I'm sure its just the front brakes locking up. I replaced a caliper thinking that was it, but wasnt. any ideas or past expierences with this issue? Thanks

did you the owner replace these brake pads and both calipers ? if you specificly did the work the pads must not fit too tightly in the caliper...the pads are made of stamped metal , the edges have metal burrs that need filing...the pads should fit into the caliper with only slight pressure...

on replacing the calipers the calipers need to be tested before installing you should be able to move the caliper piston in / out with your fingers with some resistance if you have to stand on it new does not mean good...I just went through this recently took a few to get one that worked correctly...before installing the calipers you have the piston fully pushed in then connect...when all is together you slowly bleed the calipers passengerside first then driverside not putting the brake pedal to the floor only about 3/4 down ...repeat until clear and doing this slowly will not create air bubbles...this then should work correctly..


with your vibration when braking this means replacement of the rotors as the heat from the pads draging damaged the rotors....

I just replaced all my rotors, but my rotors rusted out after 10 yrs...

did you the owner replace these brake pads and both calipers ? if you specificly did the work the pads must not fit too tightly in the caliper...the pads are made of stamped metal , the edges have metal burrs that need filing...the pads should fit into the caliper with only slight pressure...

on replacing the calipers the calipers need to be tested before installing you should be able to move the caliper piston in / out with your fingers with some resistance if you have to stand on it new does not mean good...I just went through this recently took a few to get one that worked correctly...before installing the calipers you have the piston fully pushed in then connect...when all is together you slowly bleed the calipers passengerside first then driverside not putting the brake pedal to the floor only about 3/4 down ...repeat until clear and doing this slowly will not create air bubbles...this then should work correctly..


with your vibration when braking this means replacement of the rotors as the heat from the pads draging damaged the rotors....

I just replaced all my rotors, but my rotors rusted out after 10 yrs...


Yeah I did all the work myself. I didnt check the new caliper when I put it on. I was going to try bleeding them but didnt think that would make a difference. My brake pedal doesnt go to the floor. When there sticking the brake pedal is tight, and barely moves when i apply pressure and brake. The brakes and vibration only occur once in awhile. I figured if the rotors were bad, I would have a vibration all the time. But that might be a good idea to get them changed. Why is it just the front brakes lock up and not the rear?

My brakes are locking up on my 03 silverado and it has a slight shake and vibration from time to time. Before I put new pads on truck it would shake badly side to side when applying brakes. I'm sure its just the front brakes locking up. I replaced a caliper thinking that was it, but wasnt. any ideas or past expierences with this issue? Thanks

How is it locking up or how is it locking up?
Wheel sliding/locking or ABS kicking on?

What speeds does it do it.
With heavy or light or regular or normal braking?
Any Brake or ABS lights on?

Yeah I did all the work myself. I didnt check the new caliper when I put it on. I was going to try bleeding them but didnt think that would make a difference. My brake pedal doesnt go to the floor. When there sticking the brake pedal is tight, and barely moves when i apply pressure and brake. The brakes and vibration only occur once in awhile. I figured if the rotors were bad, I would have a vibration all the time. But that might be a good idea to get them changed. Why is it just the front brakes lock up and not the rear?

I had trouble with my rear calipers/pins / every thing...then getting the new parts the driverside calipers I had to go to 5 stores until I got a good one..over 6 months now and the brakes are perfect..

you have the same issues only the fronts..take it all apart and check for any binding could also be those cal pins ...

No lights on, Just once in awhile they seem to stick, at any speeds. Just feels like there slightly applied stuck. Not locked down or nothing. When I drive it has a little higher rpm, If i stop and take off I can tell its holding just a little bit. It does the same thing everytime, no less and no more. Thats one reason I think its not the caliper. Maybe its a sensor or control unit??

No lights on, Just once in awhile they seem to stick, at any speeds. Just feels like there slightly applied stuck. Not locked down or nothing. When I drive it has a little higher rpm, If i stop and take off I can tell its holding just a little bit. It does the same thing everytime, no less and no more. Thats one reason I think its not the caliper. Maybe its a sensor or control unit??

your explaination is not very clear ...the conditions you mention could be a number of things..

with your vehicle running and the transmission in neutral on a grade, apply brake then release repeat to see if it is the brakes..


on a cold start go for a short drive not using the brakes much at slow speeds..touch all rotors to compare for differences in temp..

then post back what you found..

My brakes are locking up on my 03 silverado and it has a slight shake and vibration from time to time. Before I put new pads on truck it would shake badly side to side when applying brakes. I'm sure its just the front brakes locking up. I replaced a caliper thinking that was it, but wasnt. any ideas or past expierences with this issue? Thanks

Check the rubber brake lines, they break down with age and collapse on the inside. They allow pressure to be applied but not released right away. The metal mounting brackets might be rusted, pushing the hose closed. Thats a common problem on F-150's.

Check the rubber brake lines, they break down with age and collapse on the inside. They allow pressure to be applied but not released right away. The metal mounting brackets might be rusted, pushing the hose closed. Thats a common problem on F-150's.

these vehicles have no issues with RUBBER brake lines ....all the other componets definately....since this is a 2003 I would be very surprised since my 2000 rubber brake lines still look and work perfectly. I have issues with his very incomplete description of his problems ...


the calipers on these Vehicles , do indeed fail and will lock up ...this is too common...

Brakes just keep locking up, or sticking. You can tell driving down the road that the motor is working harder. It runs at a little higher rpms. When I hit the brake pedal its really tight. Moves down only a few inches and feels like there is a lot of pressure. When I stop the front brake pads and calipers are really hot. Jack the vehicle up and the brakes are still applied because the wheels wont turn freely. Put new caliper on rt side, to see if that would do anything before I bought 2 new ones. Dont think the rear is sticking, just the fronts. All disk brakes front and rear. Had problem for some time now. Might have started back when I put the 22" wheels on. Might not be related to that either? Never did bleed the system, figured any air would work its self out. About a year ago I had to splice a brake line under cab. Spot wore through it. Beveled it, put fittings on, and did it right. might have an air leak there possible? Dont know if that would effect anything either. And maybe it needs 2 new calipers? But where one did nothing I'm hesitant on buying another?

Brakes just keep locking up, or sticking. You can tell driving down the road that the motor is working harder. It runs at a little higher rpms. When I hit the brake pedal its really tight. Moves down only a few inches and feels like there is a lot of pressure. When I stop the front brake pads and calipers are really hot. Jack the vehicle up and the brakes are still applied because the wheels wont turn freely. Put new caliper on rt side, to see if that would do anything before I bought 2 new ones. Dont think the rear is sticking, just the fronts. All disk brakes front and rear. Had problem for some time now. Might have started back when I put the 22" wheels on. Might not be related to that either? Never did bleed the system, figured any air would work its self out. About a year ago I had to splice a brake line under cab. Spot wore through it. Beveled it, put fittings on, and did it right. might have an air leak there possible? Dont know if that would effect anything either. And maybe it needs 2 new calipers? But where one did nothing I'm hesitant on buying another?


when you work on the brakes/lines/calipers you must bleed out the air , because air IS mositure/ water ...when the contaminates start corroding the braking system you basicly have what you have...

well this is a good posting for others to learn from your mistakes...now its gonna cost you alot more than if you bled this system every time you worked on it ...

when you work on the brakes/lines/calipers you must bleed out the air , because air IS mositure/ water ...when the contaminates start corroding the braking system you basicly have what you have...

well this is a good posting for others to learn from your mistakes...now its gonna cost you alot more than if you bled this system every time you worked on it ...


Well I had this problem before any work was done to it. Explain that? ?

When they start locking up.
Jack up front end and put it on stands.
Then see if you can spin wheels easy by hand.

If any wheels draging crack bleeders and see if that takes dragging away.
Post back what you find there.

Well I had this problem before any work was done to it. Explain that? ?

back in 2000 my silverado had 27 miles on it ...I bled the brakes there was air in it ! explain that ?

you had lines fail, you stated the air would work its way out . NOT!

Now you must buy 2QTS of brake fluid any slowly bleed every thing ......

with you posting you should have a professional do this work .

you don't screw with brakes with your , very scary attitude , and understanding you have written here..