Chevrolet Suburban typically uses disc brakes on all four wheels, with the front brakes usually wearing out faster than the rear due to the increased load during braking; brake pads on a Suburban generally last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles depending on driving habits, and you should consult your vehicle's owner's manual for specific maintenance intervals.
Key points about Chevrolet Suburban brakes:
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Wear indicator on vehicle dashboard.When the friction material on the brake pads is worn to within 2 mm of the pad backing plate, replacement of the pads is necessary on your Chevrolet Suburban. Most newer cars today have electronics built into the brake pad. When the pad is at a point that it needs to be replaced, a symbol will appear on your vehicle dashboard’s instrument cluster. Consult your owner’s manual to learn what the symbol looks like.
High pitched squeal when braking.
When the friction material on the pads is worn close to the backing plate, you may hear a squealing or squeaking noise as you drive regardless of whether you are applying the brakes or not. Chevrolet Suburban squealing or squeaking noise is designed to make you aware that the brake pads are getting low and must be inspected. If all of the friction material on the brake pad has been worn away, you will hear grinding and scraping noises when you apply the brakes. Pad replacement is mandatory at this point, and the vehicle is unsafe to drive until corrected.
Brake pedal pulsation or vehicle vibration.
Over time, brake rotors may develop excessive thickness variation (>.001 inches), excessive runout on the wheel hub (> .002 inches), or the brake rotor may warp due to high operating temperatures. If these defects exist, you may notice pulsation in the brake pedal or steering wheel during braking. New pads and rotor resurfacing or replacement will be required if the rotor has any of the above-mentioned deficiencies, on the Blazer.
Vehicle pulling or wandering on braking.
If your car pulls to the right or left during braking, that could be a sign of a sticking brake caliper, misalignment of the suspension, and sometimes tire defects or uneven tire inflation from side-to-side. The mechanic who inspects your vehicle will determine if new brake pads alone will resolve the issue or if other repairs are needed.
High mileage on existing pads.
Regardless of whether any of the above brake system symptoms occur, every 10,000 miles a mechanic should measure the thickness of the remaining friction material on the brake pads and perform a thorough visual inspection of the Chevrolet Blazer braking system.
Brake system warning lights and/or maintenance reminder messages.
Should your brake system warning light ever illuminates, or a brake system related maintenance reminder message appears in the driver information display, have your vehicle inspected and repaired as soon as possible.
Driving a Chevrolet Suburban with a known deficiency in the braking system is unsafe and consequently is not recommended. Worn out brake pads can increase stopping distances and so for your safety, it is always advised that worn out brake pads be replaced promptly. Further driving is not recommended and you should request service at your earliest convenience if any of the following circumstances exist: stopping distances are much greater than what you are accustomed to; the brake pedal is not firm or is low; there is loss of braking power assist; the vehicle pulls severely to one side on braking; or the brake system warning light is on.
If you detect unusual noises on the Chevrolet Suburban, such as squealing or grinding, but stopping distances are close to what you are used to, and the brake pedal is firm, and there are no warning lights, it may be safe to proceed to your destination but schedule service at your earliest convenience. When it comes to the brakes on your vehicle, always err on the side of caution and have a mechanic check your brake pads and braking system at the first indication of a problem.
When replacing brake pads keep in mind:
Chevrolet Suburban Brake pads must always be replaced as a set, that is both wheels (driver and passenger side) on an axle, front or rear, must be serviced. If brake pads on only one side of the car were replaced, your car might pull to one side when you apply the brakes. Often, resurfacing or replacement of the brake rotors is necessary and a competent mechanic will always measure for wear and damage to the brake rotors and advise you as to whether rotor replacement or re-surfacing is needed.
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