Brakes do not have the stopping power

Tiny
RANDALL729
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 GMC SONOMA
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
This is my son's truck and his friends have been working on the front and rear brake pads, and did not want me involved. The brakes now are not working properly and I am elected to figure it out. I see no leaks. There is good pressure for the front brakes. There is weak pressure for the rear brakes. A lot of pedal pumps and the brakes will stop the vehicle. I am thinking that a rear brake pad piston is stuck, or the rear pads not installed correctly. My plan is to raise a wheel up and while spinning it press the pedal and see if it grabs. I somehow suspect the rear wheels. Also, looking in the brake reservoir the fluid looked like motor oil and not brake fluid. No telling what oil was put in it by the friends. I was looking for some comments about my situation. Thank you so much for any help. Randall B, Pickford, Michigan
Sunday, November 19th, 2017 AT 7:07 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,465 POSTS
I would discover what they used for fluid, if they used any type of petroleum product you are going to be replacing pretty much every brake part because oil will destroy every seal, piston and valve in the system. Caliper seals, lines, master cylinder ABS unit will all be junk.

If they used brake fluid it sounds like a lot of air in the system.
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Sunday, November 19th, 2017 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
RANDALL729
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Mr. Steve W. Thank you for this information. There better be the correct fluid in this truck's master reservoir.
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Monday, November 20th, 2017 AT 3:50 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,465 POSTS
It is the first thing you want to know. If they used DOT3 or 4 then you are okay and likely have an air issue. Anything else? Quick way to test, dip your finger in, brake fluid does not feel slippery when you rub it between your fingers. It also will easily rinse off in plain water.
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Monday, November 20th, 2017 AT 4:13 PM

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