1997 1500 4x4 Braking issue

RacingFan

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Hi All,

1997 4x4 Z71 w/3rd door, 5.7L

I have an issue when braking that is driving me crazy. When applying the brakes, the truck will start 'bucking', for lack of a better word. It's not quite the same as typical 'pulsing' caused by warped rotors, it's more severe than that. But I'm not a mechanic so I won't completely rule out warped rotors either.
The back end starts hopping, pretty rapidly, when braking. I would say it bounces 2-3 inches. I thought shocks might be the culprit so replaced all 4 (I gave it the old "bounce the bumper" test and it rocked like a ship on the open seas!), but after putting new heavy duty Monroe's all the way around it's no different.
I had the tires balanced, just to rule that out since it was an easy thing to try. No difference.
Does anyone have any other suggestions or ideas? My 16 yr. old son drives the truck pretty often and I worry what might happen in a full panic stop.
I'll replace the rotors up front if that's the general consensus, but I looked at the rotors/drums/pads/shoes and visually everything looks to be almost new. I've had the truck only a couple months so I can't confirm when the brakes were last done, but like I said they look pretty new, almost no wear.
I welcome anything at all to try!

Thanks everyone!
 


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