Both front brakes dragging after Disc and Pad change
Discussion
Hi guys,
I recently did a full pad and disc change on my 997, pistons moved back with ease and new pads dropped in along with the new discs. Everything moved freely and life was good. Drove the car to the MOT the next day where it passed without any problems. Now 100 odd miles later both front brakes are binding with the usual signs of hot discs, poor MPG and car not moving on a light slope etc.
The calipers are a 4 piston design and I can't see any obvious signs that any of them are sticking and I can push the pads back with my thumbs which then gives them more than enough clearance from the disc (until you hit the brakes and they don't move back far enough).
Any thoughts on what to check? I've just taken the pads out and made sure the back of them and the pistons are free from dirt etc but I can't see anything obviously wrong.
I recently did a full pad and disc change on my 997, pistons moved back with ease and new pads dropped in along with the new discs. Everything moved freely and life was good. Drove the car to the MOT the next day where it passed without any problems. Now 100 odd miles later both front brakes are binding with the usual signs of hot discs, poor MPG and car not moving on a light slope etc.
The calipers are a 4 piston design and I can't see any obvious signs that any of them are sticking and I can push the pads back with my thumbs which then gives them more than enough clearance from the disc (until you hit the brakes and they don't move back far enough).
Any thoughts on what to check? I've just taken the pads out and made sure the back of them and the pistons are free from dirt etc but I can't see anything obviously wrong.
stevieturbo said:
Obviously, get the car in the air and look.
Were the wheels free or tight to rotate when you had the car in the air ? Is it just the fronts ? or rear also ?
Yeah both fronts are tight when in the air. Not checked the rears as I hadn't touched those, will take a look at them. Were the wheels free or tight to rotate when you had the car in the air ? Is it just the fronts ? or rear also ?
stevieturbo said:
Obviously, get the car in the air and look.
Were the wheels free or tight to rotate when you had the car in the air ? Is it just the fronts ? or rear also ?
Yeah both fronts are tight when in the air. Not checked the rears as I hadn't touched those, will take a look at them. Were the wheels free or tight to rotate when you had the car in the air ? Is it just the fronts ? or rear also ?
Quick update,
Drove the car out of the garage onto the drive and got it in the air. Rear wheel has very small resistance (more likely the drivetrain) yet the fronts are both very stiff to move. With the wheel removed I need both hands to shift the Disc it is that tight.
In terms of fault finding I am thinking of removing the caliper from the hub and getting the wife to gently press the brakes and then identify the piston or pistons that are not retracting.
Drove the car out of the garage onto the drive and got it in the air. Rear wheel has very small resistance (more likely the drivetrain) yet the fronts are both very stiff to move. With the wheel removed I need both hands to shift the Disc it is that tight.
In terms of fault finding I am thinking of removing the caliper from the hub and getting the wife to gently press the brakes and then identify the piston or pistons that are not retracting.
Right I think I have found this issue.
Took the pads out and placed a bit of thin wood between the disc and pistons. As soon as the brakes were released the wood is free to move about.
So I think it's safe to say the calipers are okay, with the pads in there is a little resitance but it frees up once the disc is spinning a few times.
However, as soon as I torque the Caliper bolts up to the hub the outside pad is binding hard to the disc surface on both sides of the car. Going to wire brush the hubs down tonight after work to see if it's as stupid as a build up of brake dust etc.
Took the pads out and placed a bit of thin wood between the disc and pistons. As soon as the brakes were released the wood is free to move about.
So I think it's safe to say the calipers are okay, with the pads in there is a little resitance but it frees up once the disc is spinning a few times.
However, as soon as I torque the Caliper bolts up to the hub the outside pad is binding hard to the disc surface on both sides of the car. Going to wire brush the hubs down tonight after work to see if it's as stupid as a build up of brake dust etc.
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