1998 Chevrolet K1500 Suburban Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

Height Sensing Proportioning Valve

The height sensing proportioning valve must be adjusted whenever the valve and/or linkage is disassembled or removed for service. In addition, adjustment should be checked if excessive front wheel lock-up is experienced with a lower than desired brake application rate when vehicle is at or near maximum GVWR.

• Raise and support vehicle, leave wheels on and allow axle to hang freely.
• Remove lever retaining nut and disconnect lever from valve shaft, Fig. .
• Rotate valve shaft to permit installation of correct adjustment gauge, Fig. , ensure D shaped ho...

Battery Ground Cable

Prior to service disconnect battery ground cable and isolate as required.

Radio Security System

Theftlock

If the Theftlock system is active when battery power is interrupted, the customers security code must be entered to restore proper function of the radio. To unlock a secured radio after power loss, proceed as follows:

• "LOC" appears with ignition in On position.
• Press "NM" and "000" will appear on display.
• Press "NM" again to make last two digits agree with security code.
• Press "HR" to make first 1 or 2 digits agree with security code.
• Press "AM-FM" to select code entered. "SEC" wi...

Excessive Pedal Travel

• Worn brake linings.
• Disc pads knock back after cornering or rough road travel.
• Piston and linings not properly seated or positioned.
• Insufficient fluid in system.
• Loose wheel bearing adjustment.
• Damaged or worn caliper piston seal.
• Improper booster pushrod adjustment.
• Pads out of flat more than .005 inch.
• Rear brake automatic adjusters inoperative.
• Improperly ground rear brake shoes.

Brake Roughness Or Chatter; Pedal Pumping

• Excessive lateral runout of rotor.
• Rotor excessively out of parallel.

Excessive Pedal Effort

• Frozen or seized pistons.
• Brake fluid, oil or grease on ...

In order to properly service power brake systems, a thorough understanding of the power assist system is necessary. These systems provide a mechanical assist, acting to increase the force applied to the master cylinder piston by the driver while decreasing the effort necessary to obtain acceptable stopping performance.

Hydraulic assist units incorporate a basic open center spool valve, hydraulic cylinder and an accumulator assembly in a common housing. When the brake pedal is depressed, the hydraulic piston moves forward closing off fluid relief passages, the spool valve applies flui...

Certain general service procedures apply, regardless of whether the brakes are vacuum or hydraulically assisted. Only top quality, clean brake fluid should be used. More seals and valves are used with power brake systems than with ordinary brakes, so an inferior brake fluid will do much more damage. For the same reason, ensure all dirt is kept out of the system. Additionally, care must be taken not to mix the fluids of the booster hydraulic system and brake hydraulic system as the fluids are not compatible.

If the power unit fails, the brakes will still operate, as the convention...

Master Cylinder

Some vehicles use a conventional tandem master cylinder with two hydraulic pistons operating in-line. The primary piston controls the front brake system and the secondary piston controls the rear brake system.

Other models use a master cylinder that operates the same as the conventional master cylinder, but also incorporates a quick take-up feature in the rear chamber to reduce excessive pedal travel which may result from increased fluid displacement required to move the low drag caliper piston out against the rotor.

The quick take-up uses a spring-loaded ball check val...