I have a 2004 Tahoe I changed my front brakes and rotors but when I come to a stop my brakes continue to lock up from time to time but the more I drive they lock up at every stop sign or red light. Any suggestions

Hello uncleel03,

There 3 item to look at:

1. Are the caliper mounting slide pins free and lubricated?
If not, the pins and bracket s need to be cleaned and lubricated.

2. Was a new hardware kit installed on a clean caliper mounting bracket and do the brake pad move freely in the bracket?
If not, the bracket needs to be cleaned and all rust removed from where the hardware kits attaches to the bracket.

3. Did the pistons in the calipers compress easily?
If not the caliper may need to be replaced. I say "may" because a bad brake hose can cause resistance when compressing the caliper so you will need to isolate the cause of the resistance.

Testing:

Safely lift and support the vehicle.

Have an assistant press and hold the brake peddle while you try to turn the wheel; as you are trying to turn the wheel have the assistant release the brake peddle, the brake should release immediately and the wheel should turn freely if not there is a problem with ether the caliper or brake hose.

To determine where the fault is you will need to remove the tire and have your assistant apply and release the brake. If the brake remains engaged open the bleeder if the brake releases the brake hose is the problem and needs to be replaced, if not the caliper needs to be replaced.

Repeat this procedure on the other side to determine it's integrity.

Of course you will need to bleed the brakes after these tests and after the new parts are installed before you can drive the vehicle.

I hope this help.

Regards,
netvan

If it feels like the ABS (anti lock brake system) is activating at every stop then its a faulty wheel speed sensor in one of the front wheel bearings. Just follow the wires going to the wheel bearings. There will be an allen head screw holding the sensor in the bearing. Remove the screw and the sensor. Check the magnetic end of the sensor for corrosion or build-up of metal (brake material). Clean both sensors and retry. If its the actual brakes locking up, determine what side. Make sure when you reattached the calipers, you didn't kink the caliper brake hose, thus restricting the fluid going to that side and applying the brakes prematurely. When you pressed the calipers back in to install the brake pads, if one side was harder to press in than the other, you probably have a binding caliper on that side. Replace it.