Rusted Brake Lines on 2001 GMC Sierra

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2001 GMC Sierra

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I've got a 2001 GMC Sierra with 145-k miles. I only drive it bad weather, so recently 2000 miles a year was about it. Two months ago I replaced the left rear brake caliper, disk rotor and pads. I had my son help me bleed the brakes in the driveway. With the engine running, I loosened the bleed screw and had my son depress the brake pedal. I tightened the bleed screw after we got the air out and I noticed brake fluid dripping from under the cab. Upon further inspection, the steel brake line had failed due to rust and the other lines didn't look much better.

I filed an NHTSA report about the brake lines. I just wanted to let anyone out there know about the potential rust problems on these brake lines.

There was a video on CNN this summer about a guy in Detroit that lost his brakes and was driving home in rush hour traffic. The police video from behind showed him open the door and try to slow the truck with his foot. Guess what, it was a GM pickup. I just wonder if his brake lines failed too... Ron
 
I had the same problem while hurricane Irene. I was not able to tackle the job myself, so off to the shop. Mine was the main brake line running from the ABS to the rear diff. It goes down the frame rail and up and over the gas tank (I also had a full tank of gas that they had do remove. $600 later and my other lines don't look well either. I'll do the smaller lines myself in the spring, a kit can be bought. It's a lost cause do to GM declaring bank rupsie all claims are null and void. It sucks because I plan to have the truck for many yrs to come. I also had a bad parasitic batter drain (I think it was the radio,now replaced) and multiple problems with the ABS sensors, sagging front end, rust every ware in the undercarriage and rod knock. the list goes on and on. good luck

Dano2001
 
Thanks for the quick reply. Keep track of your out-of-pocket expenses as they can be deducted on your federal income taxes under Casualty Losses. But, the losses need to exceed 7.5% of your gross.

I would really like to see NHTSA make GM do a voluntary recall like they did for the rusted 4WD speed sensors in the front hubs. If enough people file reports I think they will... Ron
 
so let me get this straight. You want GM to pay for your 11 year old rusted brake lines.

Are you alright? all cars and tks rust out even all brake lines! If you don't want the rust then you should move.

This is what wrong with this country..... Everyone wants some thing for nothing in stead of taking responsibly. The rusted brake lines are your falt not GMs.
 
happy 2011 said:
so let me get this straight. You want GM to pay for your 11 year old rusted brake lines.

Are you alright? all cars and tks rust out even all brake lines! If you don't want the rust then you should move.

This is what wrong with this country..... Everyone wants some thing for nothing in stead of taking responsibly. The rusted brake lines are your falt not GMs.
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I've had many cars and trucks with over 100k and never had a undercarriage that looks like mine now. I still own a 35 yr old Triumph and the brake lines still look great, and that's with crappy British steel. If I sent you a pic of the under side of my GMC you would think it was from a Model T!! There have been many documented case's of bad brakes and bad lines. That's why there was a recall on the abs and after 2006 GMC discontinued Disk brakes on the rears because of all the rust problems. It could be due the the Hydro formed rails!! LOL
Dano 2001
 
Fwiw - GM never discontinued rear disc brakes on all trucks, just some models.

All Denali's have rear disc brakes
All Trucks with NHT MAX trailering option have disc brakes
All trucks with 6.2L engines have disc brakes

A friend has a 2005 Furd F250 and his brake lines rusted out, so did his exhaust system. Its because of the salt used on the state roads around here. I run my truck thru the touch-less car wash with under-body flush at least once a week in winter to remove the salt from the undercarriage.
 
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the reason your tk all rusted out is becaues as you said "you only drive it in bad weather and only 2k miles a year". Thats why your tk is all rusty!
 
Z15 said:
Fwiw - GM never discontinued rear disc brakes on all trucks, just some models.

All Denali's have rear disc brakes
All Trucks with NHT MAX trailering option have disc brakes
All trucks with 6.2L engines have disc brakes


A friend has a 2005 Furd F250 and his brake lines rusted out, so did his exhaust system. Its because of the salt used on the state roads around here. I run my truck thru the touch-less car wash with under-body flush at least once a week in winter to remove the salt from the undercarriage.
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Your right as I was misinformed by my mechanic. The good part is I have no body rust, my exhaust system looks great as well as my AL drive shaft, My doors close well and I still have cold A/C
Dano
 
happy 2011 said:
the reason your tk all rusted out is becaues as you said "you only drive it in bad weather and only 2k miles a year". Thats why your tk is all rusty!
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FWIW, I store the Sierra in my garage and my '97 SE Turbo (with 170-k miles) in the driveway. And the 4-year older Saab doesn't have any rust on the brake lines, or on the body. My guess is that the newer GM products will last even less than my 2001.

And the body and exhaust system have no rust, just the brake lines. Those rusted brake lines are going to kill someone if not replaced.

My '87 Silverado a rusted brake line at 250-k miles when driven the same way... Ron
 
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I imagine this may have more to do with the salt on the roads used during winter than a mass problem with brakelines on GM trucks.
 
2001 GMC Sierra said:
I've got a 2001 GMC Sierra with 145-k miles. I only drive it bad weather, so recently 2000 miles a year was about it. Two months ago I replaced the left rear brake caliper, disk rotor and pads. I had my son help me bleed the brakes in the driveway. With the engine running, I loosened the bleed screw and had my son depress the brake pedal. I tightened the bleed screw after we got the air out and I noticed brake fluid dripping from under the cab. Upon further inspection, the steel brake line had failed due to rust and the other lines didn't look much better.

I filed an NHTSA report about the brake lines. I just wanted to let anyone out there know about the potential rust problems on these brake lines.

There was a video on CNN this summer about a guy in Detroit that lost his brakes and was driving home in rush hour traffic. The police video from behind showed him open the door and try to slow the truck with his foot. Guess what, it was a GM pickup. I just wonder if his brake lines failed too... Ron
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Sorry but this is your problem and not GM or any other mfg. This is not limited to trucks but if they are used in winter weather where a lot of salt is used then this will happen. I've replaced brake and fuel lines in GM ford trucks and cars over the years. No big deal just cut out the old and replace with the new coated flexible steel lines.
 
2001 GMC Sierra said:
I've got a 2001 GMC Sierra with 145-k miles. I only drive it bad weather, so recently 2000 miles a year was about it. Two months ago I replaced the left rear brake caliper, disk rotor and pads. I had my son help me bleed the brakes in the driveway. With the engine running, I loosened the bleed screw and had my son depress the brake pedal. I tightened the bleed screw after we got the air out and I noticed brake fluid dripping from under the cab. Upon further inspection, the steel brake line had failed due to rust and the other lines didn't look much better.

I filed an NHTSA report about the brake lines. I just wanted to let anyone out there know about the potential rust problems on these brake lines.

There was a video on CNN this summer about a guy in Detroit that lost his brakes and was driving home in rush hour traffic. The police video from behind showed him open the door and try to slow the truck with his foot. Guess what, it was a GM pickup. I just wonder if his brake lines failed too... Ron
Click to expand...

Most of larger cities now use DE icing liquid and is more corrosive then the salt that was used. There environmental friendlier then salt but a killer on metal and especially cars and trucks. For the rusted brake lines, just have them replaced. Just another section in your maintenance scheduled and don't forget to inspect your transmission line also, there also common to corrode and a simple line replacement can save you a transmission replacement.

As for that person in Detroit trying to stop his pick up truck. Would of been better if he placed it in to neutral and use what they call emergency brakes (parking breaks or some who don't know what that is).:eek:

Molson02536
 
I just wanted to update this post. Apparently, there are few other GM truck owners that are complaining to the NHTSA about rusting/corroding brake lines. The NHTSA is investigating 6.2 million GM truck for the same brake line problems and upgraded their investigation last year.

Check out these links:

http://www.insideline.com/chevrolet...n-gm-vehicles-for-possible-brake-problem.html

http://trucks.about.com/b/2011/08/01/brake-line-corrosion-suspected-in-gm-trucks.htm

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0d4fe5

Feel free to do a Google search on "GM brake line failure."

I guess the government is dragging its feet until either more people die, or until GM figures out how to fix 6.2 million trucks for an average cost of $2000/per vehicle for a whopping $12.4 billion dollars... Ron
 
Well it's getting worse with my front end sagging so I'm having the shop inspect the front end for other possible damage. I'm looking into a leveling kit, new keys or what ever. My control arm is resting on the bump stops and the other day I hit a bunch of pot holes on the highway and it was so violent I was almost out of control. Winter is coming and I'll be driving the truck full time, and want it safe. I'll let you know how it comes out
Dano
 
I just wanted to update this post since GMC has not been forced to recall the vehicles yet and still doesn't manufacture replacement brake lines --- But, Classic Tube does! I just bought a complete set of stainless tubing, pre-bent with double flares and stainless fittings for $299 from Summit Racing (eight pieces I think) - to save shipping expenses. The kit looks impressive and I'm going to start replacing them tomorrow - weather permitting. Check out their web site: classictube.com because they make kits for most GMC trucks. And be careful. If you take your truck to a GM dealer, they may use these brake lines and charge you for custom bending... Ron
 
2001 GMC Sierra said:
I just wanted to update this post since GMC has not been forced to recall the vehicles yet and still doesn't manufacture replacement brake lines --- But, Classic Tube does! I just bought a complete set of stainless tubing, pre-bent with double flares and stainless fittings for $299 from Summit Racing (eight pieces I think) - to save shipping expenses. The kit looks impressive and I'm going to start replacing them tomorrow - weather permitting. Check out their web site: classictube.com because they make kits for most GMC trucks. And be careful. If you take your truck to a GM dealer, they may use these brake lines and charge you for custom bending... Ron
Click to expand...

Why not just buy generic 1/4 in tube and bend it yourself? I think 15 ft costs about $30 . . . $300 for a prebent kit? Yeah, forget that!
 
Ran into this issue with a 2005 Silverado. Beautiful truck with no body rust but the brake lines were rotten from road salt.

Learned my lesson by keeping the underneath clean and sprayed down on the next truck.
 
To keep your tk from rusting out (or slow it down) just go to the car wash once a week and get the under cariage wash. so you may spend 200 bucks over the winter but the tk will last you 3 to 5 years longer. cheep if you ask me.
 
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