1990 GMC K3500 Pickup Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

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, be sure all dirt is kept out of the system. Additionally, on models with hydraulic assist brakes, 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 fai...

• Raise and support vehicle.
• Remove wheel, drum and brake shoes.
• Disconnect hydraulic line at wheel cylinder. Do not pull metal line away from cylinder, as this may kink or bend line. Line will separate from cylinder when cylinder is moved away from brake backing plate.
• Remove wheel cylinder-to-brake plate attaching screws, then the wheel cylinder.
• Remove boots, pistons, springs and cups from cylinder, Fig. .
• Clean all parts with brake fluid.
• Inspect cylinder bore. A scored bore may be honed as long as the diameter is not increased by ...

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 leaving wheels on, and allow axle to hang free (no load condition).
• Remove lever retaining nut and disconnect lever from valve shaft, Fig. .
• Rotate valve shaft to permit installation of correct adjustment gauge, Fig. ,...

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...

The procedures to remove & install the brake pads are outlined under "Caliper Service," "Remova... "

REMOVAL

• Remove caliper assembly as outlined above.
• Remove inboard pad with retainer spring. Dislodge outboard pad and position caliper on the front suspension so the brake hose will not support the weight of the caliper.
• Remove two sleeves from inboard ears of the caliper.
• Remove four rubber bushings from the grooves in each of the caliper ears.

INSTALLATION

• Lubricate new sleeves, rubber bushings, bushing grooves and mounting bolt ends with Delco Silicone Lube or equivalent.
• Install new bushings and sleeves in caliper ears. Position the sleeve so that the end toward the pad is flush...