2004 GMC Sierra 1500 4.3 v6 - Front driver side brake pads/caliper sticking
What is your question?
I have a 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 4.3 v6. The front driver side brake pad occasionally sticks or rubs the rotor. This seems to happen more often on hot days. It'll feel like I have the emergency brake on until it finally releases a little after driving a bit. I have replaced the rotor, pads, and caliper on the front diver side. I have also replaced the master cylinder and bled the brakes. This seemed to help at first but the problem came back. It's acting like the caliper is pushing down on the pads but not retracting like it should sometimes. It results in a bad rubber burning smell, which I'm assuming is from the extreme rubbing of the pads on the rotor. I first noticed the problem when my truck started pulling to the right when I would brake harder. That still seems to be happening too. I haven't replaced the front right pads yet. A brake line problem is all I can think of that's causing the issue at this point. Any thought would be appreciated. Thanks!
What makes this problem better or worse?
It's worse when it's hot outside
How long has your 2004 GMC Sierra 1500 had this problem?
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Hello, Dave here, contributing to RepairPal and providing expert advice since 2010.
When I think of brakes sticking, I think of verification first. Check for heat at each wheel. Does your left front wheel brake and wheel show at a higher temperature than the other 3 wheels? An infra-red heat gun is helpful in measuring wheel and brake temperature.
If you indeed verify that the left front brake and wheel is much hotter than the other three wheels, then it is certainly do to a problem with one of the following areas:
Brake caliper and or pins sticking
Brake hose restriction
Antilock brake system modulator or control unit issue
That's really it. There's not much more to the story.
Also, I noticed you have not replaced brake pads on the other side of the vehicle. You should never replace brake pads only on one wheel. At worst, you should replace all the front or all the rear at the same time. You cannot focus on a specific wheel because you will create an out of balance situation which is not ideal for proper breaking performance.
That may be contributing to your concern.
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