My emergency brakes just went out in my '07 Chev. 2500. The only time I've used them is on boat ramps since I bought my boat in March. Just talked to a brake mechanic and he stated that GM emergency brakes have a tendency to go out whether you use them or not. Just thought I'd pass on some info. Check those brakes before you head to the lake, especially when going by yourself. Your GM rig may become a U boat.

Been there, have that T-Shirt.

I think that the 07 brakes are the same as the earlier brakes. My 01 Suburban E-brakes entail a drum brake inside the hat of the rotor. So as opposed to your disk brakes doing double duty as your standard and parking brake, the disk brake is your standard driving brake and inside the rotor is a drum brake that acts as your parking brake.

The problem is that the parking brake shoe gets out of center and wears down the shoe and the drum portion of the rotor. I found out mine didn't work when I tried to get the truck inspected. I ended up having to buy the parking brake shoe and new rear rotors. Since I was getting new rotors I went ahead and got new pads as well. The shoe had dug a grove in the drum portion of the rotor and no machine shops will machine that inner drum. So you end up pretty much replacing everything but the caliper on your rear brakes.

The solution, per the parts guy at the Chevy dealership is to set your parking brake every night. This re-centers the shoe and keeps it from dragging on the drum.

Chevy knows this is a problem but really doesn't offer a workable solution. I may be mistaken but I think that will fix your e-brake up to the 100k mile mark.

The truck is still under warranty and will be in the shop next week. Just aggravating that they will have something like this and know about it. Time to fix the problem.

BigPoppa, I had a 99 that did the same thing. Let's see...at least a 9 year old problem???? I just bought an '08 and that's one of the first things I looked at (rear breaks, etc.) I wasn't real thrilled that Chevy's gone back the the same style of brake for the rear end.

I'm now waiting for replacement parts from my Dealership. Luckily the brakes are covered under warranty. Both seals were leaking oil which caused the brakes to go out. They cleaned them up best they could. They held yesterday on a boat ramp but I'm sure nervous about setting them and having them go out again.

If you check I believe they are not called emergency brakes anymore they are parking brakes.

Had the same thing happen on my 2000 GMC.

the earlier model trucks had a new designed holder for the parking brakes,the first design had a problem and would allow the brake pads surface to contact the inside of the drum part of the disc brake while driving and cause excessive wear on both the drum in hat and the pads.so be sure they get the updated parts put on also.

Parts are in and the dealership will be repairing the "parking" brakes Friday morning. I'm sure they will be installing the new updated ones.

I have an 01 Silverado. It was in the shop 3 times under warranty for the E brake. Then they issued a recall on it. Turns out it was broken. Go figure. After the recall done a couple of years ago it has worked pretty well. The cable did break last year, but it was a $10 part. I set my brake every night. I have a manual transmission and park on a slight incline. From what I hear it has been a problem for 10 years and they still have not fixed it. Not sure if I will buy another Chevy when this one finally kicks the bucket.

Had the same issue on my 02 Silverado when I went to get it inspected back in '06.

Does the E brake still have problems now that they went back to the rear drum brake?

Corvettes had similar parking brakes 40 years ago; little drum brake on the rotor. They weren't worth a **** either. A company called "Vette Brakes" if I remember correctly started producing all the inside parts in stainless steel

Got the brakes fixed. Issue was the axle seal leaking oil on them. New seal and clean brakes. Been to the lake twice now and they are working perfect.