2020 Caliper/Rotor/Pad failure

[AN292]

Regarding the 2020 brake upgrade on the 00-06 Tahoes.

Got around to doing this today, everything went on exactly as it should, washer/spacer and all.

Bled it very thoroughly, filled the master up.

Pedal hits the floor, red brake light on the dash, "service brake system" as well. The truck stops, but you gotta go all the way to the floor with the pedal, pretty dangerous.

I went and relooked at everything and it was all installed correctly. Was it just not enough fluid for those pistons?

Went and put the old ones back and bled those as well, any ideas?

 

[Rocket Man]

What do you mean by “ just not enough fluid for those pistons”? If you’re asking if your master isn’t capable of operating those calipers, the answer is it’s more than capable. I put Wilwoods 6- piston with 16” rotors on mine and it stops on a dime. That’s way bigger calipers than those 2020’s. Either you didn’t get them bled good or there’s something wrong with the calipers. What did you bleed them with? I use the Motive pressure bleeder, it’s super easy and impossible to get air in the lines with.

 

[AN292]

What do you mean by “ just not enough fluid for those pistons”? If you’re asking if your master isn’t capable of operating those calipers, the answer is it’s more than capable. I put Wilwoods 6- piston with 16” rotors on mine and it stops on a dime. That’s way bigger calipers than those 2020’s. Either you didn’t get them bled good or there’s something wrong with the calipers. What did you bleed them with? I use the Motive pressure bleeder, it’s super easy and impossible to get air in the lines with.

2 person method, did it 3 times over. On the plus side, my stock brakes feel much better. Cant really figure out what went wrong.

 

[Rocket Man]

Might be a dumb question but you did mount them with the bleeders on the top, correct? People have installed calipers with the bleeders at the bottom which won’t let the air out.

 

[Scottydoggs]

maybe you put the calipers on the wrong side and the bleeders are on the bottom?

or the master went dry and it needs to be bled first, then you can go back to bleeding caliper's.

 

[AN292]

maybe you put the calipers on the wrong side and the bleeders are on the bottom?

or the master went dry and it needs to be bled first, then you can go back to bleeding caliper's.

Might be a dumb question but you did mount them with the bleeders on the top, correct? People have installed calipers with the bleeders at the bottom which won’t let the air out.

Oh...thats embarrassing.

That is most likely the problem, air was never able to get out. Lol, ill fix it tomorrow and report back. Thanks alot.

 

[fasteddy]

1. They are big calipers, they hold alot of fluid and alot of air.
2. You need to bleed the entire brake system. You can do this by pressurizing the whole system with fluid.
I have no idea how folks on this site bleed brakes....speed bleeder? How do you know ALL the air is out of the system?
Kinda like "I bought a tune for computer but I've never strapped it to a dyno". Well how do you know it works?

Use this shown in the link below. Its not that expensive and it does a wonderful job.
Mine is over 10 years old, it still works and its worked on every car I've used it on....GM, Nissan, Toyota, even Fords
https://www.amazon.com/Motive-Produ...qid=1621142746&sprefix=motive+,aps,246&sr=8-7
$62.

Your brake system is a safety system, treat it like your life depends on it....because it does.....$62 OMG You could even UPS it to each other, like the caliper.

 

[fasteddy]

Oh...thats embarrassing.

That is most likely the problem, air was never able to get out. Lol, ill fix it tomorrow and report back. Thanks alot.

Yes, the calipers are left and right specific. The bleeder valve should be on top.
Location of the bleeder valve doesn't matter if you're pressurizing the system with fluid...air compresses, fluid doesn't.
But for this application the bleeder valve is on the top.

If you have air left in the line, you can end up with no pedal, a spongy pedal or worse, some pedal when its cold and no pedal when it heats up.


Ya know the brake gods may not be smiling on you because you didn't shave, smooth, and color coat your calipers.
The calipers may not bleed thoroughly unless you make them all pretty......LOL....I'm just kidding.

You should have posted pictures before you reversed.....like what kind of wheels do you have....did they clear? That's important.
Pictures are important....Not to panic is important. Having fun is important. Having a fun girlfriend is important! Girls like Big Red Calipers! LOL

 

[ks03]

Kinda like "I bought a tune for computer but I've never strapped it to a dyno". Well how do you know it works?

After having the blackbear tune, I would of paid for it for the drivability alone.

Yes, the calipers are left and right specific. The bleeder valve should be on top.
Location of the bleeder valve doesn't matter if you're pressurizing the system with fluid...air compresses, fluid doesn't.
But for this application the bleeder valve is on the top.

How does the location of the bleeder not matter? If you have a large void with air trapped high, and the bleeder is low, how does it get out?

 

[fasteddy]

When you pressurize the entire system with a POWER BLEEDER the air will be forced to the nearest opening.
You actually connect a tube from the bleeder into a container filled with fluid so air can escape but it can't return.
And that's held below the plane the brake caliper, which essentially lowers the location of the bleeder screw to the bottom anyway.

Demo:

Its easy and virtually dummyproof.

When you break the seal on your brakes you have to bleed the whole system not just the front two, as air can enter the rear lines.

Safety Tip: If you don't have a firm pedal don't drive your vehicle past your driveway.