Chevy Silverado Brake Problems

The rear brakes on the Chevy Silverado have evolved over the years. Beginning with a drum brake system, in 2003 General Motors switched to a disc brake system that utilized a “Drum In Hat” style parking brake system. The decision to return to a drum brake system in 2005 was due to problems with the parking brake system. The rear disc brake system was reintroduced in 2006. Both the drum brakes and the disc brakes have minor commonly occurring problems, but for the most part are durable.

The Chevrolet Silverado is manufactured with a hydraulic braking system that uses a combination of rotors and disks and drums and shoes to stop or slow the truck. This system has had a high number of recalls, mostly due to the addition of a troublesome anti-lock brake system on later models. The mechanical and pressurized fluid systems can be diagnosed by the average backyard mechanic in about 20 minutes.

Check the fluid in the master cylinder to ensure it is the proper color and level. Brake fluid should be a golden yellow color and translucent. It should be filled to the proper marking on the side of the master cylinder. Black, brown or missing fluid can indicate a problem with air or heat corrupting the integrity of the system. The master cylinder cap should be clean and free of debris, and the gasket on the bottom of the cap should be soft and maintain a good seal.

One of the more common problems with the rear brake system on the Chevy Silverado is not a brake failure at all. Axle seals commonly malfunction, and this allows the rear brakes to be saturated with gear oil. The result ranges from groaning when a small leak occurs to shuddering and smoking when a severe leak is present. To prevent this, inspect the brake system and axle seals frequently, and replace the seals at the first sign of a leak developing.

When it comes to car safety, nothing tops the brake system in your vehicle. A failure in this system may lead to a serious accident, therefore, it is important to know when you are having a brake problem before it is too late. Sometimes a malfunction in this area is obvious, other times it is not. Here we will learn how to decipher some of the most common brake problem symptoms you might encounter. Read over the situations described below or test drive your car in a safe and non-traffic area near your home and compare the results.