Five problems related to brake disc pads have been reported for the 1997 GMC Suburban. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The consumer routinely inspected the brakes in 11/02 and found no problems. On 06/03, while driving the consumer noticed the vehicle was pulling to the right. Upon inspection of brakes, the consumer discovered the left and right outside brake pads had a "chunk" missing. The front outside pads on the passenger side separated from the metal shoe due to rivet hole wear, and had fallen apart in the consumers hands and the pads were not worn out.
When applying pressure to the brake pedal pedal will unexpectedly fall to floorboard, and brake system will fail to stop vehicle. Brake pads and shoes/ rotors, and lines have been replaced, which has failed to effectively remedy the problem. Dealership has not examined vehicle for this problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.
While driving the serpentine belt tensioner broke from its mounting and resulted in loss of power steering and other components including charging of the battery. The alternator also shorted out. The manufacturer and the dealer were notified. The consumer was told that the warranty not longer covered the belt. The brakes shuttered while braking from 60 mph. The dealer replaced the front brake pads and resurfaced the rotors.
Left rear brake self-adjuster inoperable from the factory. Inadequate rear braking caused premature brake system wear and failure including front disc pads, warped front disc rotor, worn rear brake drums and shoes, and abnormal tire wear. Dealer and manufacturer have refused to honor warranty service or safety related defect.
The brakes lock up at the slightest pressure. Seems to be worse when first starting out with vehicle cold or when the roads are wet, but occurs at anytime while trying to brake. When the brake is applied it pulls to the right and also the brakes lock up, the tires skid, and you hear a humming noise coming from something. (obviously in the braking component somewhere) I have taken it to a GMC dealership 3 times but they have failed to solve the problem. They say they can't duplicate the problem and can't find any problem with the brakes. I asked them specifically to drive the vehicle, especially one day while it was in their care and it was raining since it locks up more when wet. But I question whether they even drove it. I took it to an independent brake/tire center and they replaced the front brake pads checked the rear brakes and said I had a real axle seal leaking which was leaking on the rear brake shoes and probably causing the locking problem. So the next day I returned the vehicle to the dealership again who repaired the rear axle seal leak but denied again there was any problem with the brakes locking up. But they continue to do so, very dangerously I might add. The problem seems to be getting worse. Today 5/2/01 the brakes locked and I almost slid right through a stop sign. What can I do now?.