# Hard brake pedal

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-brake-pedal/39121>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** gmc, 2500\
**Created:** [November 7, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-brake-pedal/39121 "2009-11-07T03:28:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![edskii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5f9b8f/32.png) [@edskii](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edskii)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-brake-pedal/39121/1 "2009-11-07T03:28:55Z")

</div>

On a 2000 GMC 2500 pick up when I reach a certain point turning right the brake pedal becomes hard and will not depress. Therefore the brakes won"t work. As I turn further or back they will work again. Any Ideas?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-brake-pedal/39121/2 "2009-11-07T03:57:21Z")

</div>

The brake system in your vehicle uses the power steering system to provide brake assist. It’s called hydro-boost. If there’s a problem with the power steering system, it effects the brakes.

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![edskii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5f9b8f/32.png) [@edskii](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edskii)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2009, 2:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-brake-pedal/39121/3 "2009-11-07T14:14:49Z")

</div>

I was not aware of that. I thought there was just the power assist master cylinder. What could cause such an odd situation? If the power steering fluid is good could there be a kink somewhere, or is this an indication that the power steering pump is going out? Any thoughts on where to start looking?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [November 7, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-brake-pedal/39121/4 "2009-11-07T14:38:21Z")

</div>

Power steering pump, hydro boost module, or steering rack. It’s a system, and something is not right. I’d start at the pump, since it seems to be failing to provide proper pressure.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 12:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hard-brake-pedal/39121/5 "2009-11-08T00:47:54Z")

</div>

I would suspect the steering gear.

Everything works fine until the steering wheel is at certain position. If the seals in the steering gear are worn at a cerain point where the power steering fluid is able to bypass the seals, pressure is lost to both the power steering system and the hydro-boost system.

Tester