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Jim
Grant has been working in the automotive industry for over twenty
years. In addition, Jim is an ASE Master Technician with advanced
L/1 certification. He works as manager and technician in his
family's automotive business in New Hampshire. He writes weekly
automotive consumer columns and is editor of an automotive newsletter
that is circulated throughout North America. |
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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'97 Chevy S10, Brake Drag Problems
Q:I
have a ‘97 S10 with a 4.3 engine. I have a problem where my front
brakes drag. I have replaced (twice) calipers, rotors, pads, pins and
brake lines and bled the brakes front and rear. I can spin the rotors
freely with the brakes in place, but as soon as I press the brake pedal,
I cannot easily (without force) spin the wheels. I thought maybe that
the pads needed some miles on them to seat. After 100 miles they were
red hot and won't spin freely. What could the problem be? I thought about
changing out the master cylinder.
A:
This may help
to pin the problem down. After applying the brake, open the bleeder screw
at the brake caliper. If suddenly the wheels/rotors turn freely you know
the problem is up-stream. Apply the brakes again and confirm that the
problem has returned. This time loosen the brake line at the master cylinder
for the front brakes. If the wheels/rotors turn freely then the problem
is with the master cylinder. Apply the brakes again and confirm that the
problem has returned. At this point loosen the nuts/bolts that hold the
master cylinder to the brake booster. If this causes the wheels/rotors
to turn freely it is likely that the push rod from the brake booster to
the master cylinder is incorrectly adjusted. If the wheels/rotors still
drag then the master cylinder is the problem.
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