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Author Topic: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?  (Read 5711 times)

Offline got2haul

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Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« 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?
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1980 Custom Deluxe Stepside
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1980 Silverado Short Bed Fleetside
1976 GMC Sierra Grande C15

Offline Captkaos

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Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2008, 12:14:27 pm »
That is to tight, did you get the right calipers and pads?
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« Reply #2 on: March 10, 2008, 12:15:59 pm »
Yep there should be no drag.
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Offline got2haul

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Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« Reply #3 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.
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1980 Custom Deluxe Stepside
        Stepside thread: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7505.0
1980 Silverado Short Bed Fleetside
1976 GMC Sierra Grande C15

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« Reply #4 on: March 10, 2008, 01:53:47 pm »
If you remove the caliper does the wheel spin freely?
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline DnStClr

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Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« Reply #5 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.
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Offline got2haul

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Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« Reply #6 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.
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1980 Custom Deluxe Stepside
        Stepside thread: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7505.0
1980 Silverado Short Bed Fleetside
1976 GMC Sierra Grande C15

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« Reply #7 on: March 11, 2008, 07:48:03 am »
It's the same on both sides?
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Offline got2haul

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Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« Reply #8 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.
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1980 Custom Deluxe Stepside
        Stepside thread: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7505.0
1980 Silverado Short Bed Fleetside
1976 GMC Sierra Grande C15

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« Reply #9 on: March 11, 2008, 07:59:11 am »
Are the pads hanging up on the saddle?
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline got2haul

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Re: Disc brake drag: how much is too much?
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2008, 08:01:24 am »
Not sure what you mean...
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1980 Custom Deluxe Stepside
        Stepside thread: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7505.0
1980 Silverado Short Bed Fleetside
1976 GMC Sierra Grande C15
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