SPONSORED LINKS

1999 Chevy Silverado brakes not adjusting.

Tiny
WSC48
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET TRUCK
A buddy & I did a shade-tree replacement of the rear brake pads. Should be no problem, done other vehicles before - no sweat.
A day later, the wife drives to the store & comments on how hard the vehicle is driving - needs "extra gas to go". Over the next few days, due to funny smell, hot wheels & taking a look, I determine that the brakes are too tight. The guy at the parts store tells me there are "2 holes in the brakes where you put a screw driver to adjust them". I cannot find such and Chilton's doesn't mention that and tells me the brakes are self adjusting. The guy then says it sounds like a sticking park brake and that the park brake is the same pads as the regular brakes. That is not what I see or what I understand from other sources at all - they're totally separate.
So here I am with "stuck" rear brakes and I can't even take it to a shop even if they were open on a Saturday 'round here. PS- We're pretty rural, nearest honest shop will be 20+ miles on Monday.

What I need to know - is there some way to adjust these brakes? What am I missing? They are tight to the disc, how do I back them off?
SPONSORED LINKS
Saturday, March 18th, 2006 AT 12:07 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
METRO MECH
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
It sounds like there is something that has come loose inside the brake drums or the pins and keepers are not installed correctly.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 18th, 2006 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
JPAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 307 POSTS
What do you have disc brakes or drums. It really makes a diff. In answering your questions.
Let us know and well get back to u. Thnks. Jess s.
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, March 18th, 2006 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
WSC48
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Disk rear breaks.
Tried the self-adjustment method with a bit more gusto yesterday. Got on a back road, put it in reverse, got going a bit and hit the breaks.
Will see today if it made any difference. Before all we did was parking lot reverse a couple times.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, March 19th, 2006 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
WSC48
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Nope, that didn't work.
A buddy said maybe the new pads altered the setting on the park brake? Ok, we'll check that.
Another suggested re-bleeding the brakes, front & back.
Ok, we'll try that.
Put it up on blocks, took wheels off, and ran it in drive for a while to see if that evened out the new pads. (Someone said the pads must be "uneven").
Anybody here have suggestions?
We'll try anything (hopefully not including calling a local shop to tow it on a flat bed to do this).
We need the vehicle and have been without for over a week.
Wish I knew as much about this one as I did the 1974 Chev my wife made me sell for scrap just a while back. I had that one since late '74.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 20th, 2006 AT 7:06 AM
Tiny
OIII88
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
I ran into this on a chevy car that had self adjusting disk brakeso n the rear. I had to buy a tool (cant remember the name) from the local partsstore it goes inside the caliper and is turned with a 3/8 ratchet to back the caliper back up. Hope this might help some
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, March 20th, 2006 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
WSC48
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Thanks, but cannot find a place on the brakes where that would work.
One wheel is now seized.
Guess the wife will call the dealer and have it towed. :Cry:
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 21st, 2006 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
JPAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 307 POSTS
Sorry havnt check email in few days. To back calibar back you can use a C-clamp to push the cylinder back in. Backing up and hitting the brakes is only for drum brakes. Sorry I didnt get back to u earlier.
Good luck. Jess s
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, March 21st, 2006 AT 11:31 PM
Tiny
WSC48
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok, found that the wheel is not seized exactly, but will not rotate at idle on blocks.
The wife called and the earliest they can tow it is Monday, so I'm trying to fix it by then (well, by last Monday, really, but hey.).
I'll try the C clamp. That's what we used to put it on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006 AT 7:09 AM
Tiny
JPAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 307 POSTS
Make sure that cylinder is flush with brake calibar. Grease up both pins that bolts go through so it can move back and forth easier. If those pins are sticking it wont release the brakes back.
Good luck jess s.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006 AT 8:31 AM
Tiny
WSC48
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Aw rats.
Couldn't get it fixed and the flatbed came today.
Funny thing, I feel somewhat relieved.
*whew*
The wife was very sympathetic but says my smile is back and worth every penny.
Think I'll send the truck to the shop for every oil change and windshield wiper from now on! :Wink:

Thanks for the suggestions!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 23rd, 2006 AT 11:44 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Adjust Content

VIEW MORE

Sponsored links