I had my front brakes done about a year ago by a nearby garage. They did axle seals, the u-joints behind the front wheels, rotors, pads, track bar.

recently, the truck has been pulsating when i hit the brakes.

I was told that if I hold the brake release handle up for the emergency brake and use the emergency brake petal to come to a stop, I can determine if the trouble is in the front or rear.

I performed this test and it seems to come to a stop smooth with the e-brake pedal.

so, i think my trouble is in the front. i've only put about 4,000 miles on it since the new brakes. the truck seems to handle very smooth other then when your foot is on the pedal.

any ideas?

 

I would check the rotors and pads. Pull off your front tires, and inspect the rotors, my guess is they are either warped, or just need to be turned. If you do end up needing to replace them, go with a set of slotted rotors.

Hopefully they aren't warped. Have you been towing any heavy loads though the mountains? That's a good way to roach rotors, and the main reason I went with cryogenically treated, slotted rotors.
Good luck

 

Pulsating front brakes to me means the caliper is hanging up. It needs to "float" with the rotor. You may need to remove the calipers (no need to take the brake lines off) clean and re-grease the ways (ways are the machined surfaces the calipers slide on) and see if that helps. Its a free fix also. If that doen't work then it's time to turn the rotors.

How much are those slotted rotors? I'm due for a new set after 182K miles.

 

it's unlikely this is it, but just be sure your not having the first sign of a bad wheel bearing, it happened to me.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ad.php?t=74795

 

I should be able to check the wheel bearings by jacking up the front end, then grab the tire and see if the is any free play?

 

No need to remove the caliper, tire or even jack up the truck to grease the caliper slide pins. Just remove them one at a time and grease.
Turning a warped rotor is a waste of money, the warp will come right back, replace the rotor.