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.
|
