New Trucks - Are they really better?

Correct, we went through all of the brakes in the fall of 2025 because I had a pad that was stuck and chirping and I knew I had a trip coming up pulling the trailer. This happened on New Years eve (Dec 30th) 2025. No, the brake fluid has never been flushed or changed.

Thank you for the through explanation. This makes a lot of sense.

 

I've never owned a 'sealed' braking system. Every single one of them has has a reservoir atop the master cylinder with a little rubber 'cap'. As the pad material wears, the level in the reservoir drops. The space previously filled with fluid is replaced with ambient air else it would form a vacuum.

With that said, I am one of the 'don't crack any fittings on a factory system until forced' kinda people. I do however believe that brake fluid can be cooked to the point that it is less effective. Where that point lies exacty I couldn't tell you. Assume lots of variables.

 

That's why that rubber is made to unfold/expand...it allows the fluid level to drop without causing (much) vacuum...that's why when you open the reservoir up and the level is down you usually have to pop that diaphragm back into its "normal" shape. But I agree that the system is not 100.00% sealed...as in the reservoir would not hold much pressure, or vacuum...and some that I've seen would barely keep the critters out!

 

Should you find yourself doing a brake fluid swap in the near future on this truck, take some time to check out the brake lines as well. I had a 2006 in the past and had a brake line blow out on two separate occasions. Not sure if the 2011 models experience this as much as the mid 2000’s trucks.

 

As for my opinion on newer trucks. I think we should have drivetrains figured out by now, but instead we have gone from reliable to not reliable. The market wants new and different all the time, not consistent and reliable, and I think that is a lot of what drives the constant changes whether positive or negative. People seem to gripe or lose interest when they don’t see enough updates to the class of vehicle they prefer. Add in hare brained regulations forcing changes regardless of downstream effects and here we are producing some really good looking but unreliable new vehicles. Enough of that tangent, it wont change anything.
If looking at new vehicles, you kind of just pick what type of problems you are comfortable with and go from there. They all got em.

 

New Trucks worth price- NO, anything past 2007 is more trouble( emmisions and electronics) . Any repairs seem to be god awful pricy if not a warranty item. headlight go out- any where from $1000- 7000 tail light could be as much as the front. Quality control of all the mfg is a joke. Then there is the issue of just poor engineering. 6-10 sp auto transmisions, wet belt drive of oil pumps, timing system drives failing constantly. In the case of diesels particulate filters that need replacement at 100k $11,000 avg price at dealer. Wiring harnesses that are poorly routed. basicly they are building units to fail just after warranty, course it is not just in the automotive industry it universal across all markets.

 

I just use a power bleeder and walk around to each bleeder and crack open till new fluid comes out. Easy peasy.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ARFCbLD-shw?si=o1-WPUOibMHjdCm3

 

That sums up my attitude exactly. Humanity has been building motor vehicles for more than a century and we still can’t produce something that is all that reliable. Stupid engine problems. Stupid transmission problems. CAN electrical systems that can lose their mind over nothing . . . ever increasing expense to accomplish the same basic objective — transportation.

 

Exactly - that diaphragm is supposed to allow fluid level change while still sealing ambient air out of the fluid side of the reservoir; at least that's the designed intention. LOL. Lots of things happen that affect that seal, though, and also all the rubber seals in the master cylinder, wheel and caliper seals, etc. Moisture is even better at sneaking in than mice are!

 

That certainly works too, for a DINK tool hound ...but overkill for the average DIY'r, IMO.

Amen!
And don't forget about engine models (Ford 3.0/3.5 v6) that previously had external easy to service water pumps, until some jackhole engineer decided to make it internal, so that sometimes when they fail (or every time if you don't catch it soon enough!) they fill the oil pan with coolant
I really believe that if the OEMs would come out with a new "heritage edition" pickup (like a basic mid 90's to early 2000's model) with some of the old tried n true engine/trans/etc options, they'd sell the poo outta 'em!! They might be able to pull it off...I hear a few of the big electric companies are reopening coal fired power plants, so...
Oh, and you mention poorly routed wiring harness's, how about coating wires with "cheese flavored" insulation...friggin vermin love that soy based insulation!

 

Yes, gm had a lot of problems with brake lines and for many years too. Gm cheaper out and didn't use stainless steel lines and there were things of issues and lawsuits and recalls due to this. Then there's the age of the lines, that won't help even quality lines, even if they're stainless.

 

?

 

Here’s a good, maybe unfair comparison.
06 Toyota Tacoma 198k miles that has never had a check engine light on in its life.
21 Silverado 67k miles has 2 check engine lights for separate issues in less than 30 days.
Fk sensors on everything.

 

There's differing grades of stainless. Some will still rust.

 

Yes, yes there are, and yes it will.
Most people have no idea how many different grades of stainless there are, and why...each has their niche.

 

I say you should buy a new one and leave the good used ones for me.

 

Will do

 

Have a 2014 ram 2500 with just over 80,000 miles on it. Every time it gets towed away I wish I had bought a truck from the 70’s The only saving grace is they talked me into buying a lifetime warranty. I’m usually against such things but in this case it paid off in spades.

 

Transmission shop told me they do NOT rebuild them, just replace because it's cheaper (due to parts and labor of the rebuild) and the new warranty is on the manufacturer of the transmission, not him. He said he will rebuild 6-speeds and older transmissions.

 

Money talks, everything and anything is for sale at my house.