S-10 REAR BRAKES

[pj4]

I HAVE A 91 S-1O WITH VERY LITTLE REAR BRAKES. I TRIED CHECKING THE BRAKE SHOES, ADJUSTING THE BRAKES, BLEEDING THE WHEEL CYLINDERS,CHECKING THE WHEEL CYLINDER TRAVEL AND A DIFFERENT MASTER CYLINDER. COULD IT BE THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM? IF SO HOW DOES ONE CHECK IT? THE TRUCK IS 4X4, IF THAT MATTERS.

[Macgyver55]

First off, how are you measuring the amount of your rear braking force? With anti lock working properly you wont make them skid. You could try removing the antilock fuse and trying them in a safe and open parking lot somewhere to see if they are working. Brake wear is also somewhat useful way to determine if the rear brakes are working assuming you keep track of when things were replaced.

Generally and I say that cautiously, the rear brakes will out last the fronts about 2 to 1 in lifespan.

Its also possible your proportioning valve is not working properly, or a wheel speed sensor is corroded and has not yet set a code. There is also a recall on your model year truck. I found this notice which may or may not relate to your problem:

Many drivers reported the brake pedal suddenly "went to the floor" without warning. The ABS brakes in the smaller 1991-96 Blazer, Jimmy, Bravada and S/T-series pickups and Sonomas randomly failed to stop the vehicle. In August 1999 NHTSA announced a recall of over one million 1991-96 S10, Blazer, Sonoma, Jimmy with 4-wheel drive & EBC4 ABS to replace a safety switch that caused the vehicles to go into 2-wheel drive and increased stopping distance.

This is not a vehicle that I work on very often so there may be some others out there with some other more specific info. Good luck!

[Jeremy airjer W]

Pj4, WHY ARE YOU YELLING AT US

I am also curious as to know how you determined that your rear brakes are not doing there share.

[pj4]

i can tell the rear in not working when truck is cold and engine idle is up,trans in drive, foot on brake and the rear tires spin on ice. very hard to control stopping with the rear still moving and the front tires locked up. it get interesting when pullling a trailer and the front slide. i know the front are working properly. all new parts.

[Greg T]

pj4-until you get prob solved, i've had to bump my nova into N to stop to keep the wheels from spinning, helps quite a bit. Have you tried bumping the gas to drop the high idle? Doesn't take much to spin wheels on ice.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Is it possible that the rear shoes are glazed? Did they look shiny?

You could try taking a piece of emory cloth/sandpaper and try scuffing up the shoes and see if the situation improves. If it does I would recommend replacing the rear shoes and hardware kit and turning/replacing the drums.

The other thing that concerns me is that you mentioned that you replaced the master cylinder. Did you install a new or remaned unit? is the brake pedal nice and high and is it firm. If not I would suspect that a remaned master cylinder was installed. I have never had good luck with the remaned units. Also when you installed the new master cylinder did you bench bleed it?

[Valv]

Quote:

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I have never had good luck with the remaned units. Also when you installed the new master cylinder did you bench bleed it?

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No kidding...I am at 2nd reman gear box for my Dodge 3500. 1st had some play in it, second one (warranty) same problem, I am at 3rd right now (still warranty) and still have a huge play in it.

I am returning it and go purchase a new one at stealer. It's going to be a lot of $$ but I don't take chances with brakes and steering....

No more reman for me....

[Jeremy airjer W]

Hey Valv, I bet the pitman arm comes off alot easier the third time than the first!

[Valv]

1st time I had to cuss, second time I bought a puller, nice easy job....third time I didn't even notice it.