Front brakes drag
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Lake Wales FL
Front brakes drag
OK, I have this wheel drag problem..........It all started after having the brake system flushed. I have had techs break lines at each component with no help. The calipers have been replaced.........even with the bleader open, it still drags. I can put it up on the lift and with a two hand hard spin, I get one revolution.
Any ideas? Should I flush the system again? Is there some solution that can be used to break up any blockage?
Thanks,
Any ideas? Should I flush the system again? Is there some solution that can be used to break up any blockage?
Thanks,
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,435
Likes: 918
From: CONCORD NC
all pads drag some. If they didn't, there would be a delay everything to press the pedal.
If you think yours is excessive, make sure it is the brakes, not the bearings. You would have to remove the pads to confirm.
If you think yours is excessive, make sure it is the brakes, not the bearings. You would have to remove the pads to confirm.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
Yeah, I'm inclined to ask what do you mean by dragging and how are you noticing it?
David's right. If you're spinning the wheel by hand and hearing a little metal on pad rubbing this is not abnormal. Driving, turning etc. will back the pads off, and there is no significant force on them.
If you are feeling drag when driving after letting up the pedal (car still slowing down) then possibly it is a booster issue.
The other OUTSIDE possibility is to clean around the pistons, maybe enough dust and gunk is getting in there preventing them from returning; however, this is unlikely if you ask me. I've had mine pretty gunked up with no issues.
David's right. If you're spinning the wheel by hand and hearing a little metal on pad rubbing this is not abnormal. Driving, turning etc. will back the pads off, and there is no significant force on them.
If you are feeling drag when driving after letting up the pedal (car still slowing down) then possibly it is a booster issue.
The other OUTSIDE possibility is to clean around the pistons, maybe enough dust and gunk is getting in there preventing them from returning; however, this is unlikely if you ask me. I've had mine pretty gunked up with no issues.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Lake Wales FL
Originally Posted by davidfarmer
all pads drag some. If they didn't, there would be a delay everything to press the pedal.
If you think yours is excessive, make sure it is the brakes, not the bearings. You would have to remove the pads to confirm.
If you think yours is excessive, make sure it is the brakes, not the bearings. You would have to remove the pads to confirm.
Thanks for the help,
Last edited by c5man99; Dec 13, 2005 at 11:30 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
Honestly, its a bit difficult to say, but this doesn't sound terribly abnormal. There's alot of drag on the wheel if you think about it. It doesn't spin like a bicycle tire would. Don't know about one revolution.
Maybe do what dave recommends and pull the pads and spin it and see what you get.
Are they the original '98 calipers? Maybe it's time for a rebuild or clean - there could be some gunk/minor corrosion on the sides of the pistons causing increased resistance.
If you're not seeing issues when driving (i.e. prolonged drag after releasing the pedal) or signs of overheating (glazing etc) I probably wouldn't worry.
It's difficult to say much more without being there, sorry. Maybe have the dealer take a look? If I had my car up I'd go spin a wheel but it's kind of tucked in for the weather...
Maybe do what dave recommends and pull the pads and spin it and see what you get.
Are they the original '98 calipers? Maybe it's time for a rebuild or clean - there could be some gunk/minor corrosion on the sides of the pistons causing increased resistance.
If you're not seeing issues when driving (i.e. prolonged drag after releasing the pedal) or signs of overheating (glazing etc) I probably wouldn't worry.
It's difficult to say much more without being there, sorry. Maybe have the dealer take a look? If I had my car up I'd go spin a wheel but it's kind of tucked in for the weather...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
Were the calipers new or rebuilt that you installed? Pop off one of the caliper bolts and swing the cailper up, play with the pistons and check for free movement in and out. If you push in one the other will come out. Do this for both pistons.
When you spin the wheel, can you hear rubbing from the pads? If you remove the pads will the wheel free wheel better than one turn? Double check the glide pins for clean surface and plenty of lube. I had a shop install my pins dry on an infinity Q and the pads wore down in 400 miles The smoke was a tip off though that something was not correct. If there's no problem there then look back at the master.
When you spin the wheel, can you hear rubbing from the pads? If you remove the pads will the wheel free wheel better than one turn? Double check the glide pins for clean surface and plenty of lube. I had a shop install my pins dry on an infinity Q and the pads wore down in 400 miles The smoke was a tip off though that something was not correct. If there's no problem there then look back at the master.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Lake Wales FL
To make it clearer.....The calipers are new, when I push the pistons back in..........the wheel will spin free, about 4-5 revolutions! It can be repeated on both fronts. All pins are lubed, braded lines are not kinked.
Would any of you think that the origanal fluid flush (machine done at dealership) could have set a partial block in the system?
Thanks,
Would any of you think that the origanal fluid flush (machine done at dealership) could have set a partial block in the system?
Thanks,
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 4
I wouldn't think that the passages are that small that they would easily clog. The master cylinder may be defective or the vacuum assist actuator and the vacuum is preventing the master from resetting. Pull the vacuum line off the master and see if the same holds true. Also try removing the fuses to the ABS and re-check. I'm fishing here but there's only so many thing that can fail.
wheel bearing
rotors warped
pistons sticking
glide pins
kinked lines(fluid still flows so not really)
distribution block
master cyl
vacuum assist
ABS(I hope not)
Have I missed anything?
wheel bearing
rotors warped
pistons sticking
glide pins
kinked lines(fluid still flows so not really)
distribution block
master cyl
vacuum assist
ABS(I hope not)
Have I missed anything?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Lake Wales FL
Matt, I have pulled the vacumn to the boost pump, no change. I just got back from the dealership.......they are going to re-flush the system and check the rotor run out's, Thursday...........I will ask them to pull the abs fuses if the above dosen't fix the problem.........I will keep you all posted.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Morgan Hill Ca.
Looks like everything is pretty much covered. One thing you might want to check is too much grease on the guide pins. These pins will lock with too much. Just coat them and check the boots don't pop off when you move them limit to limit. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Im thinking that you shoudl be ok. I don tknow if this would matter or not. But have you tried spining the wheel with the motor running.I guess if you get less resistance with the motor running that might be a good sign. Im just throwin ideas out there or trouble shooting ideas. Dont know what else you can check.
