Rear brake dragging

10-16-2002, 03:03 AM

I replaced rear rotors and pads on my 77 last night. The pads were a tight fit into the calipers (tighter on the left rear than the right) and this morning there was the tell-tale odor of hot brake pad when I got to work.
As I expected, the left rear disk was too hot to touch.
The question is this: What avenues are open for curing the drag? Do I file the pad backing plate edges to make them loose(r) within the caliper? Lubrication? Dress the insides of the calipers? Put the old ones back while I think about it?
Thanks in advance.

Chris Bunker · 10-16-2002, 05:11 AM

It sounds to me like you have a piston that is not fully retracting when you release the pedal.
Corrosion on the piston is the most likely cause. When you put the pads in, did the pistons retract easily enough into the caliper or did you really have to force them?

10-16-2002, 05:58 AM

No problem retracting pistons; I'm pretty sure it's the pad's backing plate dragging on the caliper.

theporchevman · 10-19-2002, 08:27 AM

I have a 77 targa that has the same problem I replaced the pads and the inner rubber ring and after I step on the brakes the rear right side seems to hold alittle longer causing a bump type of sound after being parked for a while it release's I think it's time for a new caliper. I also did not have my rear sway bar on I don't know what kind of problem that caused, but it might have contributed to that noise. Let me know what happens to your situation.

Jimbo2

10-19-2002, 12:36 PM

Turned out to be the parking brake dragging lightly but enough to heat up. I adjussted the brake (way too loose at the moment) and it's not heating up any more.
I still need to go back and adjust the parking brake properly - I bang my hand on the shifter (in reverse) when I pull the brake lever all the way up.