1998 Chevy 2500 4X4 Pick Up Brakes and Steering Lock Up

Reader Question Hello Austin, I have a 98 Chevy 2500 pick-up, 4×4, 7.4l. With the abs fuse out and the plow on or a trailer in tow, the steering has been locking up when I come to a stop and the brakes give a little like they dont want to stop. With the abs fuse in and the plow on or off the steering doesnt lock up but when coming to a stop the brakes loosen up at the last part of the stop, but still stop.

I have recently replaced both front and back brakes, bled and rebled, replace hydro-boost unit, and replaced two bad brake lines one regular and one from the abs unit. I am comtemplating changing the powersteering pump because sometimes the steering is hard when it hasn’t warmed up enough, and the pulley has been whining even though the belt is good and tight.

The abs fuse hasn’t been in for about a year cause the previous owner said he took it out cause it was better to plow with it out….but I recently put it back in cause of the steering locking up when braking….sidenote…even though I changed all the brakes, and lines, and bled, and bled, and replaced the bleeder screws it still didn’t seem like the brakes were strong enough PLEASE any information or opinions you may have will be greatly appreciated…Thanx..JR

Hello there JR

JR,

That is a new one on me, sorry. I did ask myself, why did you not replace the master cylinder? I think I would, at least to rule it out. These year model Chevy trucks never really stopped well anyway, so I can only imagine what it is like with a plow on front. If the PS pump is acting up, you might as well replace it anyway, not really sure if there is anything related there, but might as well fix the problem anyway and see what happens.

I would also make sure you are using the right brake pads for this vehicle and that they are good quality, not some cheap stuff….at least not with that heavy a truck anyway. I would also make sure you trued the rotors and drums to seat in the new brake pads and shoes. This is a heavy truck, and with the extra weight, you need all the stopping power you can get. Just slapping pads and shoes on without resurfacing the rotors and drums will probably not allow full contact with the new pads and shoes, which you need.

This is just my best GUESS without being there to drive or test this vehicle myself!!!!

Blessings,

Austin Davis