Brake pads dragging?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
Brake pads dragging?
The front brake pads on my 76 seem to be "dragging" on the rotor too much. My understanding is that there should be a "slight" drag or contact between the pad and rotor when not braking. With the front wheels off the ground, it takes some effort to manually spin the wheel. If I press the pads away from the rotor, the wheel spins freely.
The question is, how much contact should there normally be between the pad and rotor?
My brakes seem fine when braking, I'm not doing any hard braking or racing.
The front calipers are from Eckler's.
Thanks.
The question is, how much contact should there normally be between the pad and rotor?
My brakes seem fine when braking, I'm not doing any hard braking or racing.
The front calipers are from Eckler's.
Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 330
Likes: 3
From: Wellington, New Zealand
I had this problem with the right rear brake on my 74, I fitted new pads and it went away. But I suspect the real problem was the flexible hose and when I collapsed the pistons to fit the pads it cleared the blockage. Other people on the forum have had this and it all seems to point to a bad hose, they breakdown internally even if the exterior looks good they can still be bad. I have since fitted new hoses and the improvement to my brakes was huge (I have no power assist).
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Are your brake rotors new or did you have them turned? Rotors should have the slightest bit of runout in them, so as to keep the brake pads from constant contact (and burning) with the rotor surface. I'm not in the business, but I think about .003-.005" is the amount of runout put into each rotor. If it's much more than that, you will feel pedal "surge". If the rotors are turned "true" you will wear out pads quicker and eat up gas because of that drag.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Ideally you want 0 runout. Runout will cause you to pump air into your brake calipers if it is too much. You shim the rotors to get them nearest to 0 as possible. With that said, there will be some dragging because of the springs that are behind each piston in the brake calipers. It could be a collapsed hose that is causing the drag. Look at the other front wheel and compare the drag. Is it the same or more?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
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From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
Thanks guys.
I forgot to mention that I have power brakes with the stainless steel braided hose lines. As far as the run out, I don't know what it is. There is no pulsing on the brake pedal and I always weem to have good stopping power, it just feels to me that the pads drag too much on the rotors. BTW, rotors were on the car when I bought it and they are pretty close to being new.
I forgot to mention that I have power brakes with the stainless steel braided hose lines. As far as the run out, I don't know what it is. There is no pulsing on the brake pedal and I always weem to have good stopping power, it just feels to me that the pads drag too much on the rotors. BTW, rotors were on the car when I bought it and they are pretty close to being new.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 683
Likes: 1
From: Mounds View Minnesota
Stock brakes have a spring that keep them in contact with the rotors.
That,and the basic design does cause them to drag a bit.
The best measure would be to drive around on a warm summer day then measure the caliper temp. They should be warm like <200 degrees if if they are hot, like 400+ you have a problem!
Of course if you do a lot of hard braking they will be hotter
That,and the basic design does cause them to drag a bit.
The best measure would be to drive around on a warm summer day then measure the caliper temp. They should be warm like <200 degrees if if they are hot, like 400+ you have a problem!
Of course if you do a lot of hard braking they will be hotter
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
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From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
[QUOTE=The best measure would be to drive around on a warm summer day then measure the caliper temp. They should be warm like <200 degrees if if they are hot, like 400+ you have a problem!QUOTE]
I check this out first.
I check this out first.
