1997 2500 brakes

Hi, I have had a look at previous posts on this subject but am not sure if my problem is covered. I have just bought a 2500 454 suburban and the first thing that I noticed was that the brakes work but not very well. I have to really push the pedal to get any reaction. Some people have mentioned the brake booster, I looked for the usual vacuum booster on the brake master cylinder but it doesn't have one. It looks like the boost for the brakes is from the power steering pump, is this normal for the 2500? and if so is there anything that I can check to see if it is working correctly. When I brake it pulls up square and the parking brake works well. My every day driver has superb braking and even my vette stops really quickly. The suburban worries me not least because the wife needs to drive it and she's only little, I'm not sure she can press the pedal hard enough to stop the thing. Any help would be appreciated.

I do believe that since you have a 454 and a 2500,it will be normal to have the hydraboost system.You can do a quick check of the power steering pump.Check the fluid level,start the vehicle,then turn the steering wheel.While turning the steering wheel,depress the brake pedal.If the pump starts to make a loud growling sound,the pump is not putting out enough pressure.I'm not sure if your suburban has the variable assist steering system.It's an on demand system that gets activated at low speed and turning of the steering wheel.It may not be a factor because the pump should put out maximum effort when the vehicle is not moving and the wheels are turned.Also,from the inside of the vehicle,look and see if oil is leaking from the booster where the brake pedal push rod engages the booster.If it's wet ,it should be replaced.Don't replace the booster until you have checked the steering pump first.Make sure the belt doesn't slip when testing the pump.I hope this helps.
chuck's

My brakes have always "sucked" on my suburban, I even changed rotors and put "racing brake" pads to help but the performance but still are no where near my F350's stock brakes.

Do what chuck said.