1997 Suburban bent axles?

Tiny
ETHAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
3,000 mile ago I had new rear drums and brakes installed. After driving My 1997 Suburban 1500 for about 1400 miles, the rear brakes seemed to be grabbing/pulsating when the brakes were applied. Took it back to the installer, they checked it out and said the rear drums were out of round and turned them. They also checked the front and said it was in excellent shape. About 1500 mile later, felt same grabbing/pulling. Took it back, was told drums out of round again and they won't honor because they believe it is a "driving style" issue causing the drums to heat up. Truck has only 60,000 miles and have not had the problem before? Took to the dealer yesterday, they said yep, rear drums out of round, but the mechanic also believes the rear axles (both) are bent and adding to the problem. Truck never in a collision, no damage to rear rims due to hitting a curb or anything? How can I tell if rear axles are bent? Willing to spend money to fix, but don't want to play the guessing game?
Thursday, January 19th, 2006 AT 2:19 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
FIZZAK
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
I'd have a hard time believing a GM axle would bend under the weight of a Boeing 747. Sounds like someone is trying to profit from you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 19th, 2006 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
ETHAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I agree the axles would be hard to bend. The service mgr at the GM dealer tried to tell me that just bumping a curb can bend an axle? Then told me that the mechanic says both are bent? I am more inclined to believe the drums that were put on are probably defective or poor quality? (Installed by Midas, they bought them from Autozone). Besides the rear axles being bent, what else would cause the rear brakes to feel like they are pulsating, grabbing and letting go, very similar to rotors being out of round, except you can definitely feel it coming from the rear as both the dealer and Midas agree? Anyone have a similar problem?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 19th, 2006 AT 9:06 PM
Tiny
FIZZAK
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Yea, unless you powerslide hard into a curb MAY tweak the axle shaft. Drum brakes are a pain in the arse to diagnose.

4 things im thinking right now.

No lube applied to the drum back plate and the shoes where they rub by design.

Somehow messed up brake bias in the line where there is too much pressure applied to the rear. Typically more pressure is applied to front brakes on all cars.

Chineese (no offense) drums?

Imporperly torqued lug nuts will cause an imbalance. All of them must tightend with a torque wrench to factory spec in the usual star pattern. Most mechanics just crank them mega tight with the impact wrench. I've experienced this issue several times.

Good luck.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 20th, 2006 AT 9:25 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links