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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: got2haul on March 10, 2008, 11:06:50 am

Title: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: got2haul on March 10, 2008, 11:06:50 am

I recently replaced my calipers, hoses, lines, and proportioning valve.  My front wheels now seem to have excessive drag.  With the truck up on stands, I can spin the front wheels by hand, but they will not spin freely.  Once I let go, they stop immediately.  The brake pad drag can be heard while they are spinning.  Shouldn't the tire rotate at least a full turn before coming to a stop once I let go of it?  If so, what else could be wrong?

Title: Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: Captkaos on March 10, 2008, 12:14:27 pm

That is to tight, did you get the right calipers and pads?

Title: Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: VileZambonie on March 10, 2008, 12:15:59 pm

Yep there should be no drag.

Title: Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: got2haul on March 10, 2008, 01:05:19 pm

I bought the calipers and pads at a neighboring (national) auto parts store.  I've had a local shop look at them and they say they're fine, but I just don't agree.  I think the tire should spin rather freely to prevent heat buildup and provide maximum mpg.

Title: Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: VileZambonie on March 10, 2008, 01:53:47 pm

If you remove the caliper does the wheel spin freely?

Title: Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: DnStClr on March 10, 2008, 07:05:24 pm

Sometimes the caliper bolts will cause that if they aren't allowing the pads to slide. One of the bolts could be the culprit.

Title: Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: got2haul on March 11, 2008, 07:39:54 am

I pulled the passenger side caliper last night and generously re-lubed the caliper bolt sleeves with the proper lube.  (The wheel spins freely when the caliper is off the rotor, so that rules out the wheel bearings as being the problem.)  After reassembly and applying the brakes a few times, I did notice some difference, but not enough of a difference to convince me that it was OK.  I wonder if the new brake hoses that were recently installed could be the culprit?  I didn't have time to re-lube the driver's side caliper, but I did jack it up to spin the tire and make another comparison.  It's also dragging, but it's not as bad as the passenger side, even after lubing the sleeves.

Title: Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: VileZambonie on March 11, 2008, 07:48:03 am

It's the same on both sides?

Title: Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: got2haul on March 11, 2008, 07:57:58 am

Yes, but the wheel spins much more freely on the driver's side -- I got probably 2-3 revolutions with a spin, whereas the passenger side is less than one.

Title: Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: VileZambonie on March 11, 2008, 07:59:11 am

Are the pads hanging up on the saddle?

Title: Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
Post by: got2haul on March 11, 2008, 08:01:24 am

Not sure what you mean...