2006 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

Brake System Bleed

Gravity and vacuum bleeding procedures are not recommended for use with the anti-lock brake system. The manual bleed procedure is the preferred method, although pressure bleeding is also possible. Do not pump the brake pedal during the bleeding process, as fluid aeration may occur.

Manual Bleed

• Raise and support vehicle, then connect a clear plastic tube to brake bleed screw at righthand rear wheel.
• Place free end of tube in a glass jar partially filled with clean brake fluid. Ensure end of tube remains submerged in fluid and master cylinder reservoir is kept full.
• ...

Delco Master Cylinder

When performing the following procedures, refer to Figs. and , noting that the composite reservoir may vary in design.

Disassemble

• Remove master cylinder from vehicle.
• Remove reservoir cover and diaphragm. Discard old brake fluid in reservoir.
• Inspect cover and diaphragm. Replace if cut, cracked or deformed.
• Remove fluid level switch and proportioning valve assembly, if equipped.
• Depress primary piston and remove lock ring.
• Plug primary fluid outlet (outlet nearest to cowl when master cylinder is installed), then apply compressed air into secondary fluid outlet ...

Service Brake

These brakes have self-adjusting shoe mechanisms that ensure correct lining-to-drum clearances at all times. The automatic adjusters operate only when the brakes are applied as the vehicle is moving rearward or when the vehicle comes to an uphill stop.

Although the brakes are self-adjusting, an initial adjustment is required after the brake shoes have been relined or replaced, or when the length of the adjusting screw has been changed during some other service operation.

Frequent usage of an automatic transmission forward range to halt reverse vehicle motion may prevent t...

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...

Manual Bleed

• If vehicle is equipped with power brakes, remove vacuum reserve by applying brakes several times with engine off.
• Fill master cylinder reservoirs with suitable brake fluid. Ensure to always keep master cylinder reservoirs at least half full during entire bleeding procedure.
• If master cylinder is suspected to have air in bore, it must be bled first. To bleed master cylinder, proceed as follows:
• Disconnect forward brake pipe connection at master cylinder.
• Allow brake fluid to fill master cylinder bore until it begins to flow from forward pipe connector port.
• Connect and ...

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, 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 fails, the brak...