Driveability Dilemma

[Atom Eyes]

I might as well throw this out there, since I've wondered about it for years. I'm the original owner of an '89 K5. I love my truck dearly and never want to part with her, but I wonder if anyone else has my problem. After 175,000 miles, and no matter how new my BFG All-Terrain TAs (or my brakes) may be, my truck doesn't like to stop or turn without sliding at the slightest hint of moisture on the street. She's a total joy to drive on dry ground, but I hate having to go anywhere in the rain or snow. Am I crazy? I've noticed that nobody in a car seems to have the need to be as cautious as I have to be. Agressive as my treads are, is this normal? I'm running 32s, a totally stock drivetrain and no lift.

 

[Drey]

I doubt its your tires doing it, sounds like your tires are all locking up cuz your brakes are grabbing real hard. Bleed em maybe im not 100% sure. Anyone else got any ideas

 

[dhcomp]

What air pressure are you running? Doubt this is your whole problem, but could be part of it if your tire pressure is way high.

 

[blazinzuk]

mabey your brakes are adjusted wrong. Also the air pressure thing. It really shoulnd't be doing that.

 

[vtblazer]

Just a thought but how are your inner u-joints?

Could they be binding?

 

[k204dr]

which is sliding, the fronts? are your rear brakes adjusted right? try backing up and stomping the brakes 5-10 times hard enough to slide, and that will usually get them back in adjustment. might even have to adjust them manually if its bad enough.

 

[diesel4me]

mine skids too..

Every GM truck I've had,2wd,4wd,1/2 ton,3/4 ton,ALL lock up the rear wheels, every time I stop at the end of my driveway first trip of the day!..even if I barely touch the brake pedal!--they shudder and skid,and re real "grabby"--once I drive a 1/4 mile or so,it wont do it again until the next day (if weather conditions are right that is..)

I think the drums get rusted overnight,(or perhaps the rear shoes are metallic??)--anyway,with an empty bed I'm gauranteed to leave skid marks at the end of my driveway each day,especially if its damp out or has been raining!..some days when its dry out it wont do it..

I hear many other owners of GM trucks of similar vintage having the same dilema..it makes mine not much fun to drive when its slushy or snowing out too--makes it skid easy,and the brakes dont "dry out" on days like that,so they tend to lock up easy,unless I add weight in the bed...

 

[87BrnRsd]

Every GM truck I've had,2wd,4wd,1/2 ton,3/4 ton,ALL lock up the rear wheels, every time I stop at the end of my driveway first trip of the day!..even if I barely touch the brake pedal!--they shudder and skid,and re real "grabby"--once I drive a 1/4 mile or so,it wont do it again until the next day (if weather conditions are right that is..)

I think the drums get rusted overnight,(or perhaps the rear shoes are metallic??)--anyway,with an empty bed I'm gauranteed to leave skid marks at the end of my driveway each day,especially if its damp out or has been raining!..some days when its dry out it wont do it..

I hear many other owners of GM trucks of similar vintage having the same dilema..it makes mine not much fun to drive when its slushy or snowing out too--makes it skid easy,and the brakes dont "dry out" on days like that,so they tend to lock up easy,unless I add weight in the bed...

I have the same problem when its wet or damp outside.
-Harrison

 

[dyeager535]

Even my newer vehicles do the same thing, if I pay attention to it. I agree, it's probably the combination of damp nights/humidity, and a slight bit of rust.

But after that one time in the morning, it's fine.

If the truck does it all the time, there are other issues.

 

[Atom Eyes]

Thanks, guys. Diesel4me eases my mind a bit, because my truck's been doing this from day one (of course, it was a dry day when drove her home from the dealership in October of '88).