Loose Rattly Brake Pedal

[l008com]

My brake pedal is SUPER loose. I don't think it's broken or dangerous, but it is extremely annoying. Whenever I'm going over bumps, it rattles all over the place. Its very loud too, I thought my swaybar links had fallen off or something. Then I happened to apply the brakes once as it was rattling and it stopped and I realized that was the problem all along!

I figure this is probably a pretty common problem, is there any way to fix it? I haven't been under there yet to check it out, but I'm hoping I can take out the "axle" the pedal pivot on and just add some brass and/or vinyl bushings in there to tighten it up.

But hopefully someone else has done this repair and can give me some solid advice not based on my guesses

 

[Mooseman]

I believe you are the first.

 

[l008com]

For real? Ok my brake pedal is loose as hell, anyone know how I can tighten it?

 

[jsheahawk]

Grab one from a junk yard. I've never really paid attention to mine, but I'd assume you can just replace the whole thing.

 

[Blckshdw]

I haven't been under there yet to check it out

I think you'd be best served by at least poking your head under there and getting eyes on it first. Or at least a work light and a hand mirror. It's hard to give advice on fixing a problem when you don't know exactly what the problem is yet. There might be a bolt/nut that just needs a couple of turns.

 

[l008com]

Yes I agree. I figured it was going to be a common problem but I guess not.

 

[Mooseman]

Could also be as simple as a loose bolt, which would not be good on a brake pedal

 

[l008com]

I would have thought brake pedals had no bolts, because bolts can get lose and then no more braking. But I'll get under there and check it out.

 

[Mooseman]

Oh they do have a bolt. In fact, I had to bring our new '15 Tahoe to the dealer for a recall for that very bolt, which apparently had a tendency to get loose. They just added red Loctite.

 

[l008com]

Took a quick look. Although the rattle feels big and sounds loud, there isn't a TON of movement. But the movement is both at the main pivot of the pedal, and where the pedal presses the... actuator? There is nothing that looks loose, it just looks like theres lots of play in the system. I don't see anywhere where I could add some washers to tighten it up either. I need to take a closer look in the daylight.

 

[l008com]

My rattley brake pedal is still driving me crazy. I took video of it today. It's not apparent to me by looking, where or how the pedal can come out. In other words if I were to replace it, I can't see how much of it IS the pedal. Would a new pedal replace the point where it's rattling? Is there something else I can do to fix things.

Again the biggest issue is that it rattles when you hit bumps in the road, and feels/sound like theres some serious sway bar issues. But it's not, all the noise and vibration is there in the brake pedal.

 

[Mooseman]

Have you tried taking it apart? There might a bushing or something in there or missing a spacer. I couldn't find the pedal assembly in the online microfiches.

 

[RedRocketZ28]

My Rainier's pedal is doing the exact same thing. It just recently started doing it as well. I plan on taking a look at it this week after work when I have some time. I'll report back if I figure anything out.

http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/general-tbss-questions/205161-brake-pedal-shake.html

Found a thread on the TBSS Forum. Over there it seems like a fairly common problem.

EDIT: This is the thread you want though...

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391641

 

[dna59]

I have the same problem with mine and it has been driving me crazy. Will be trying this fix this evening after work.

 

[l008com]

My Rainier's pedal is doing the exact same thing. It just recently started doing it as well. I plan on taking a look at it this week after work when I have some time. I'll report back if I figure anything out.

http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/general-tbss-questions/205161-brake-pedal-shake.html

Found a thread on the TBSS Forum. Over there it seems like a fairly common problem.

EDIT: This is the thread you want though...

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391641

I'm going to try this soon. I figured it was loose just from 100,000+ miles of pushing the brake, metal wore the bushing out. But if it's just a loose bolt, that will be fantastic.

 

[dna59]

I did it and it surely solved my problem. It's amazing how such a small fix can make a big difference.

 

[l008com]

Wow worked for me too! When you look up there, it doesn't look like a loose bolt. It looks like warn bushings. But I tightened it super tight with a pair of 18mm sockets and now its not moving at all. Pretty happy!

 

[RedRocketZ28]

I haven't messed with mine yet. Will do that this weekend when I install the new rear airbags.

 

[l008com]

I'm back 10 years later to see what size socket it was. Apparently two 18mm sockets! She's loose again. I just changed my oil and jacked up the front end to see what was loose now, tie rod, ball joint? Nope everything was solid. But that brake pedal has some movement again . . . .

 

[movietvet]

I'm back 10 years later to see what size socket it was. Apparently two 18mm sockets! She's loose again. I just changed my oil and jacked up the front end to see what was loose now, tie rod, ball joint? Nope everything was solid. But that brake pedal has some movement again . . . .

I have fixed this on a Silverado and a 2005 Tahoe. There is a bushing that the pedal pivots on. Inexpensive part at RA. You will need some room to work, so move seat all the way back or even out of the vehicle. Disconnect the rod where the stop light switch is and move out of way. There is a pinch nut on the bolt that attaches the pedal. Remove and slide bolt out. Drop the pedal out and you will see a bushing in the hole. easy to remove and install. Apply grease before and after bushing install and reassemble. Tight spaces but doable. Might want to replace the stop light switch while in there. Just jiggling the switch can make it mad. I already have the bushing for my 2005 Tahoe, when it will eventually be needed. Different bushings for vacuum and hydro boost systems.

 

[movietvet]

Old thread but since I have done this repair, I felt I should chime in.