Brakes will not disengage after 10-15 minutes of driving.

[BrianBrianBrian]

I'm hoping someone can help me with this mystery.

 

I cannot figure out what is causing my brakes to engage or rather not "disengage" after about 10-15 minutes of driving around.  When the issue occurs, It starts off slowly with a slight sensation that the truck is suddenly pulling a heavy trailer, but then steadily becomes worse the further I go, eventually having to floor the gas to pull over safely off to the side.  In the short term, If I pull over and pump the brake pedal a few times and start driving again it seems to fix the problem but only for a short while before it happens again. I have an OBD2 reader but it doesn't grant diagnostic data for brakes.  I do have a live data read out of everything while the occurrence happens and would be glad to provide it if someone is able to use that info to narrow down a conclusion.

When the issue happens, I can just let off the gas and the truck will come to a stop without needing to apply the brake.  The feeling as if you're going through thick mud.

I changed my brake pads about 3000 miles ago, so I don't see a correlation to my DIY brake job being the cause.  The truck has 56K miles. 

 

Things that I've done so far: 

1. Replaced the Brake sensor control switch (code was thrown that mentioned Stabilitrak (it led me down a rabbit hole) (pain in the F'ng ass) - Still have issue.
2. Took the calipers off and greased the pins. thought they might be getting stuck.   - Issue is still present.
   Update: 01/20/2024
3. Replaced both front wheel hub assembly 
4. Added new brakes, Rotors, calipers

Issue is still present.

 

My next step would be to replace both the front calipers. <-- NOPE.  I feel like I'm guessing at this point and the cause could be a Master Cylinder, Brake booster, Solenoid, bad brake fluid or lines.  And to add, I have conspiracy monkeys in my head telling me it's all still related to the faulty GM vacuum pump issue.  

 

 

All this to say, if someone has dealt with a similar issue in the past and figured out the cause I would be grateful to hear from you. 

 

Past service history:

Service Performed: 28K miles:

• Electronic Brake Control Module Reprogramming with SPS
• AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER REPLACEMENT
• Vacuum Pump Replacement
• Power Steering Control Module Reprogramming with SPS

Service Performed: 11K miles:

• SDM PROGRAM (@11,000 miles)
• Transfer Case Shift Control Module Reprogramming with SPS
   

Edited January 31 by BrianBrianBrian
missing word, added stuff

[Snowcamo]

Check pedal to booster linkage.

 

If it were me I'd look at replacing the master cylinder or booster. 

 

Maybe just bleed the brakes for the experience? 

[rav3]

Start off with the simple thinks, in my opinion. The Stabilitrak issue may be caused by a bad ground. There are several videos on YouTube on this, since bad grounds seem to plage these trucks. I even

added (2) additional grounds per AnthonyJ350.  Good luck on the diagnostics

 

 

 

 

 

[BrianBrianBrian]

2 hours ago, Snowcamo said:

Check pedal to booster linkage.

 

If it were me I'd look at replacing the master cylinder or booster. 

 

Maybe just bleed the brakes for the experience? 

I think my next step will be to do a brake flush.  I can't for the life of me see how the calipers would go bad this early...which leads me to think its fluid related because the issue happens after the truck has warmed up.  

 

I'll add your suggestions to the list of things to try, thanks.

[BrianBrianBrian]

1 hour ago, rav3 said:

Start off with the simple thinks, in my opinion. The Stabilitrak issue may be caused by a bad ground. There are several videos on YouTube on this, since bad grounds seem to plage these trucks. I even

added (2) additional grounds per AnthonyJ350.  Good luck on the diagnostics

 

 

 

 

 

I don't think it's a grounding issue but I don't know what it is yet, so can't eliminate that.   If my issue was ground issue I'd likely be experiencing many other anomalies that are electric in nature to operation.   I've seen a lot of folks deal with the grounding issue in here and fortunately I've yet to deal with that..fingers crossed.  The braking system is engineered to be a mechanical feature of the vehicle in case the vehicle loses engine power, battery, or encounters a faulty ground so the vehicle can still come to a complete stop if one of those scenarios were to occur. 

[mikeyk101]

What brake pads did you put in? I found out the hard way that the aftermarket new pads I bought from O'Reilly's caused same problem. After ditching those and installing OEM AC Delco pads, the problem went away.

[BrianBrianBrian]

19 hours ago, mikeyk101 said:

What brake pads did you put in? I found out the hard way that the aftermarket new pads I bought from O'Reilly's caused same problem. After ditching those and installing OEM AC Delco pads, the problem went away.

Interesting.  I purchased the ac Delco ones from advanced Auto parts.

Were the old pads you originally purchased sticking to the rotor? 

[mikeyk101]

9 hours ago, BrianBrianBrian said:

Interesting.  I purchased the ac Delco ones from advanced Auto parts.

Were the old pads you originally purchased sticking to the rotor? 

No, I was replacing the original OEM pads as they were worn down. I cheaper out and bought the O'Reilly's brand BrakeBest pads. No problem with brakes sticking on original pads. However, first set of BrakeBest were a problem. The ears were just slightly larger than the slots on the caliper mounts so didn't move freely and would bind to the rotor. I exchanged those almost immediately for another set. They fit slightly better but still same problem. I even installed refurbished caliper mounts thinking that might have been the problem but still wouldn't properly release from the rotors. I gave up and bought a set of AC Delco pads and they fit properly and no more binding and rubbing on rotor. They worked as they should.

[UrbanRage]

Have you tried turning off the Emergency Automatic Braking in the infotainment system? 

[mikeyk101]

2 hours ago, UrbanRage said:

Have you tried turning off the Emergency Automatic Braking in the infotainment system? 

This is a new one on me and I never heard of it. I can't find any kind of setting or option about this in my infotainment and even tried looking in the owners manual and nothing there either. Can you explain this further please?

[KARNUT]

I only ever had that issue with the rubber line to the caliber. And that was with older vehicles. It wouldn’t release fluid.

[UrbanRage]

On 1/2/2024 at 10:32 AM, mikeyk101 said:

This is a new one on me and I never heard of it. I can't find any kind of setting or option about this in my infotainment and even tried looking in the owners manual and nothing there either. Can you explain this further please?

 

Sure, after going into my Sierra's menu, I found it is called the Collision Detection System. On the radio display, Home->Settings->Vehicle->Collision Detection System-> Options are Off, Alert and Alert, and Brake. 

 

 

Edited January 4 by UrbanRage

[mikeyk101]

6 hours ago, UrbanRage said:

 

Sure, after going into my Sierra's menu, I found it is called the Collision Detection System. On the radio display, Home->Settings->Vehicle->Collision Detection System-> Options are Off, Alert and Alert, and Brake. 

I hope this helps.

 

Ok, I have a 2016 and only the rear sensors so that probably explains why I don't have it on mine.

[BrianBrianBrian]

I'm at the point to where I'm about to just replace the brake, calipers and rotors as a set.  If that doesn't fix the problem then I'll start diagnosing brake booster and the master solenoid ect..

 

[asilverblazer]

I'd check the rubber lines and replace those before replacing calipers.