Brakes locked up?

Tiny
UP29BALNE1
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,000 MILES
So, for several months I was noticing I was having to put brake fluid in the master. It then started feeling like the brakes were being applied while I was driving so I looked at the wheel cylinders and didn't see the wetness I was expecting but non the less I replaced the rear wheel cylinders, turned the drums and put new brake shoes on the rear, turned the front rotors and put new pads on the front. Bled the brakes starting at the right rear, left rear, right front, left front. I go for a test drive and again it's feeling like the brakes are being applied. I Jack it up in the rear and the tires spin fine so I jack up the driver's side and it doesn't spin well, put a jackstand there and lift up the passenger side to find the same thing. I crack the bleeder screw take it all the way out and nothing comes out. So, I pump the brakes 3 times to deplete the system and crack the bolts from the master to the power brake booster and the brake booster is full of brake fluid. Figure okay found the problem replace the booster and the master, him everything back up and bleed the system and again the brakes are feeling like they are being applied. Figure it was the wrong one or defective so I took it out and went back to Napa for them to tell me it was the wrong one so I put the new one in and didn't pay attention to the bolt pattern of the master, only the side that came into the vehicle. Turns out after I get it in the master won't bolt to it because the bolt pattern is a 1/2 inch off. Take that one out and take it back for them to tell me the first one was right and might have been defective. Take the 3rd one home, install it and bleed the system and again the brakes feel like they are being applied. I am to that point of second guessing myself and I'm just being some guidance and advice thank you.
Monday, August 26th, 2024 AT 6:41 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,256 POSTS
Sure, we can help, so it sounds like the front is the problem correct? So, you say the brakes are locked up and when you loosen the bleeder the front still stays locked up? If so then the problem will be mechanical. Do the calipers move on the slides freely? Please upload a short video of the problem so I can see. In the meantime, here is a guide to help us fix the problem:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/a-comprehensive-guide-to-fixing-automotive-brakes-locking-up

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2024 AT 9:52 AM
Tiny
UP29BALNE1
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  • 65 POSTS
I drove a half a block and came back jacked it up and the front tires would not rotate. I backed off the bolts from the master cylinder to the power brake booster one at a time slowly and pressure was released from each bolt as I did it and then the front tires would rotate.
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Wednesday, August 28th, 2024 AT 7:53 PM
Tiny
UP29BALNE1
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  • 65 POSTS
The first booster was the right one but maybe defective. The second was the wrong one and the 3rd is the same as the first. What are the chances of it being defective too. I've never heard of bleeding the abs unit. Could that be a possibility?
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Wednesday, August 28th, 2024 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 47,256 POSTS
Yep, you found the problem, the push rod from the brake booster is not retracting or is adjusted out too far and not allowing the brake master cylinder is fully released. It could be the brake pedal itself has something stopping it from the neutral position, I would look under the dash with a flashlight. Can I ask if the brake booster has an adjustable push rod?
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Thursday, August 29th, 2024 AT 10:06 AM
Tiny
UP29BALNE1
  • MEMBER
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No, they tell me it is not adjustable. The code in the glovebox is JF3 if that helps. After I did the video last night and uploaded it and got the brakes released I was sitting in the truck and decided to start it with the front tires in the air and cracked the line at the master cylinder and at the wheel cylinders and after applying the brakes they would not release and I never left the driveway. It could be another defective brake booster but I was figuring maybe not and then read about the ABS bleeding with a scan tool. Your opinion on that would be.
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Thursday, August 29th, 2024 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It could be a defective brake master cylinder if it is not returning completely and when you loosen the mounting bolts the housing distorts back normal and releases. Does it seem like the brake booster returns fully without the brake master bolted on?
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Friday, August 30th, 2024 AT 9:45 AM
Tiny
UP29BALNE1
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
Okay sorry it has been a couple of weeks before I could get back on the truck. So this is where I left off. I figured the right front wheel hub bearing has now started making that distinctive noise that it makes the clicking. I'm assuming from the past couple weeks when the front wheels would get so hot and be locked up. I figure I'm there anyways might as well replace both hubs. I disconnect the line to the caliper and brake fluid barely came out so I thought that was rather strange. So I undo the cap from the master cylinder and look again and same thing barely a drop. I think that is odd do I undo the rubber line at the frame where it turns to steel and BAM fluid just poured out. So I undo the line and take a piece of welding wire and slide it in and it stopped right at the metal bracket as I force it through there again at the next metal bracket it is collapsed I try to blow air through it and some air would go through one way but nothing when I tried blowing air the other way which would be back from the caliper to the master. I said okay let's check the other side same thing but not completely closed, but noticable reduced airflow or fluid flow. So I put the hubs on replace the 2 front rubber hoses with brackets and the 1 in the rear put brake fluid in and haven't started the brake bleeding sequence yet. Wanted to check what I needed to do since I've had this entire brake system opened up. Do I need to perform the abs bleed out just pump the brakes and start bleeding. Thank you
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Friday, September 27th, 2024 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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So, did you replace the flex hose? It sounds like it is bad, you might need to do an ABS bleed but I would just bleed it normally and check the results first. Please go over this video:

https://youtu.be/nQRnKyVyMuQ?si=DilwkfynQKRMws1g

Let us know how it goes.
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Saturday, September 28th, 2024 AT 10:48 AM

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