How Bad Are My Brakes?

[SuperCheyenne72]

My brake light has been off and on for a month now and it just went solid red this past week. I've been too lazy to bend over and visually inspect them until today. I notice my driver side pads are fine, but my passenger side has a nice fingernail deep groove in the rotor.

Does the rotor need to be replaced now or can it be machined out?
Will the rotor be fine if I just replaced the pads, or could the groove act as a nifty little cooling function just like those rotors I see with the holes in them?

[Longhorn Man]

if the light is on, you have more problems than what you can see, it indicates a pressure problem between front and back.

[cobb_ben]

If you have to ask... that means that they are bad. You should get them fixed!

[HoupPhotography]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

if the light is on, you have more problems than what you can see, it indicates a pressure problem between front and back.

Originally Posted by cobb_ben

If you have to ask... that means that they are bad. You should get them fixed!

The rotors can be turned if there is enough material left to machine. DO NOT just put new pads on it, as Longhorn mentioned, you need to completly go throught the brake system.....period!


Brakes are a big deal dude, it's not just you, but people seem to put them off more than say a leaking rad hose. When your light came on, you should of checked them that day or the next! Being lazy could of killed someone, seriously!

[chris71]

most likely its the master cylinder, then the prop valve, longhorn man is right when there is a change in pressure the light comes on. mc's are only like 30 bucks at your local parts store

[truckdude239]

brakes are over rated no seriously light means a pressure problem that needs to be addressed asap as to the grooves int he rotors thats your call if to replace them or just slap new pads on. if you do a pad slap and don't turn the rotors or replace them then you will most likely have brake noise and your pads will have a groove wear in them.

[SuperCheyenne72]

Well I decided to take it to a brake shop this morning. I've owned the truck for 7 years and have only done pad changes on it. I figured it was time for a complete diagnostic.

Take it from me, when someone asks "how bad are my brakes?" and says "the brake light came on..." it could result in the following:

- Rear drum shoes, eating into drums
- Rear drums, both shot
- Right rear drum cylinder, leaking
- Front right rotor, needs replacement
- Front right bearings, loose and shot
- Front left bearings, missing washer (my fault when installed)
- Front pads, 20% life left
- Front calipers, freezing up
- All 4 shocks, shot probably 10 yrs. old

Grand Total $1,330.00 plus tax

[hdflstf]

Originally Posted by SuperCheyenne72

Well I decided to take it to a brake shop this morning. I've owned the truck for 7 years and have only done pad changes on it. I figured it was time for a complete diagnostic.

Take it from me, when someone asks "how bad are my brakes?" and says "the brake light came on..." it could result in the following:

- Rear drum shoes, eating into drums
- Rear drums, both shot
- Right rear drum cylinder, leaking
- Front right rotor, needs replacement
- Front right bearings, loose and shot
- Front left bearings, missing washer (my fault when installed)
- Front pads, 20% life left
- Front calipers, freezing up
- All 4 shocks, shot probably 10 yrs. old

Grand Total $1,330.00 plus tax

Sounds pretty close to mine and I didn't even get the light -- yet.. Mine's on the Brake Job from Hell thread. I'm at day 4 and am waiting on more parts.

At least you are getting it fixed before you ran into something or someone.

[HoupPhotography]

Originally Posted by SuperCheyenne72

Well I decided to take it to a brake shop this morning. I've owned the truck for 7 years and have only done pad changes on it. I figured it was time for a complete diagnostic.

Take it from me, when someone asks "how bad are my brakes?" and says "the brake light came on..." it could result in the following:

- Rear drum shoes, eating into drums
- Rear drums, both shot
- Right rear drum cylinder, leaking
- Front right rotor, needs replacement
- Front right bearings, loose and shot
- Front left bearings, missing washer (my fault when installed)
- Front pads, 20% life left
- Front calipers, freezing up
- All 4 shocks, shot probably 10 yrs. old

Grand Total $1,330.00 plus tax

Wow!! Longhorn wasn't kidding whenhe said, "you have more problems that you can see" .... That's cool your getting them fixed, but you will need to do one of two things when you drive it again with all the new brake parts, wear a helmet or seatbelt, because when you step on the brakes your gonna smack your mellon on the windshield....