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Soft Pedal

• A spongy brake pedal or a feeling of softness when you press on the brakes could either indicate something very minor, such as the presence of air within the system, or something more serious such as a worn master cylinder or a leak in the hydraulic system. You should first check your brake fluid level and fill to the marked level to see if it improves. If it doesn't, you should check if there is air in the system by "bleeding" the brakes. To bleed the brakes, you will want to use a wrench to open the bleeder valves on the brakes. (Check the owner's manual if you don't know where this is.) Use a turkey baster to remove the existing brake fluid. Then run a piece of tubing into the opening on the bleeder, and the other end into a container with a very small amount of new brake fluid in it (you can buy brake fluid at a mechanic's). Have someone press the brake pedal while you turn the bleeder bolt (a bolt on the valve-again, check your owner's manual). A small amount of the brake fluid will be pulled into the bleeder valve. Repeat until the brake fluid appears clean. If this doesn't help, take your Chevy to be inspected by a trusted mechanic.
  
  

Squealing Brakes

• Squealing brakes can be a pretty easy fix if it is due to dust or dirt buildup on the wheels. Simply take your car through a car wash and see if the squeal goes away. If it is a constant squeal, it could be a failed wheel bearing, broken brake return or one of various other issues that can only be determined by having your Chevy inspected. If the squeal you hear occurs when your Chevy is slowing down but you aren't using the brakes and it is extremely high-pitched, your brake pads are severely worn down and should be replaced, or your disk brakes need repair. Waiting may cause even more damage, therefore costing you more money and potentially putting you in danger.
  
  

Pulsation

• Pulsation when you step on the brake pedal is most likely due to the warping of the rotors. Fortunately, rotors can easily be refurbished and/or are not expensive to purchase new for replacement. Another cause may be that the wheel bearing(s) are out of alignment or require cleaning or must be greased and repacked.
  
  

Scraping Noises When Braking

• Scraping noises when braking are almost always an indicator that a part of the metal on the brakes is coming into contact with other metal parts of the brakes. This usually only occurs when your Chevy is overdue for a brake job. It is important to have your brakes checked regularly; otherwise this kind of scraping will occur, resulting in a need for resurfacing of the rotor and drum and either new brake linings and/or new brake hardware.
  
  

Pulling to One Side

• The sensation that your brakes are pulling to one side can be caused by multiple things such as loose wheel bearings, contaminated linings, misadjusted brakes or sticking or failed brake calipers. If this happens, it is best to take your Chevy to be inspected. This is potentially dangerous and should be taken care of right away.
  
  

Maintenance

• Brake problems in your Chevy Avalanche are potentially very costly and dangerous. It is crucial to have your brakes checked regularly and make sure that the appropriate brake fluid is being used and is at the right level. Many of these common problems are preventable and by caring regularly for your Chevy you could be saving yourself a lot of money.