Went to drive Suburban and brake pedal went to the floor. Towed to mechanic who informed me that 2 of the brake lines were corroded and beyond repair. Says this happens to GM trucks and SUVs often and their are no aftermarket brakes lines, particularly from GM, available. Each line needs to be fabricated and re-threaded through the chassis, which runs up the price. Mechanic says if lines to ABS need to be replaced, then just get rid of vehicle.
Suburban was headed to Ithaca NY from Milford DE. A 5 hour/315 mile trip. Backing out of the driveway the brakes failed. I still shutter at the thought of going down the turnpike at 60-70 MPH and having to hit the brakes. GM should be ashamed. Dealer wanted $4,300 to fix it. Truing to get the estimate for what all they were going to do. Haven't got it yet. Had it towed to an independent repair place and they want $450.00 to replace all 4 brake lines. Thanks for having this site. Hopefully the NTSB is monitoring these occurrences.
I had the exact same thing happen as described by the others. Drove all day without any problems. Came to a stop to check mail. My foot remain on the brake pedal. When I put the vehicle into R the brake system warning light came on and the brake pedal went to the floor. Thanks goodness I was at a near stop! I had just been on the interstate traveling highway speed. That would have been disastrous. I was able to creep down my half mile lane with virtually no brakes. I was able to see the leaking just below the motor within the brake line system. Was getting dark, tried adding the appropriate brake fluid which only ran right out and no change in the motion of the brake pedal. So there it sits in my driveway right now.
Sounds like this is just a line problem so how difficult is that to correct and are there any recalls or anything yet as it appears this problem has been going on for quite some time. I'm kinda in a bind because this is my only vehicle and is the main transept for my kids!!! Huge safety factor!!! Glad they weren't with me. This has been a pretty good vehicle until recently...replaced catalytic converter, have it scheduled for a leaky manifold gasket wed! Also have the ABS TC warning lights as well.... anyone else have any words of wisdom, suggestions, or how-to's?
Driving to a benefit for disabled kids when I hit the brakes and the pedal goes to the floor. Luckily no injuries but I had a huge empty parking lot to pulled into. Limp the vehicle the 5 miles back home and discover a rusted mess of all brake lines under the drivers side door frame. Back lines blew out but all lines from the ABS block are complete junk. Told this is a six hour job at the shop( by there manual) and might take longer for repair.
Never had a brake line rust out before when the car is less then ten years old and only 65,000 miles on it!!!!!!
My wife was driving the Suburban. someone stopped suddenly in front of her she hit the brakes hard and she had no brakes at all and rear ended the other car. My daughter and grand daughter was in the truck. Thank God my family was all right but the lady she hit was injured from neck and back pain. When truck was towed to a shop all brake lines under drivers side door where rusted told shop to replace all not just the leaking one. good thing they weren't going faster than 20 miles an hour. Now get to pay to fix my front end damage and probably getting sued by this lady
I got a 67 Camaro with original brake lines and not rusted at all, so it is not the salt they put on the roads. It is the cheap China steel lines GM uses. to show proof look at any 1997 Cavaliers and newer and other GM cars they rust out in about 10 years. Also if it is the salt they use on the road, why can you look under a Dodge or Ford or any import car same years or older and not rusted at all like on my truck
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Went to drive Suburban and brake pedal went to the floor. Towed to mechanic who informed me that 2 of the brake lines were corroded and beyond repair. Says this happens to GM trucks and SUVs often and their are no aftermarket brakes lines, particularly from GM, available. Each line needs to be fabricated and re-threaded through the chassis, which runs up the price. Mechanic says if lines to ABS need to be replaced, then just get rid of vehicle.
- David F., Falls Church, VA, US