Persistent brake drag no apparent cause

[99weasel]

Hello all,

My 1999 ranger xlt 2wd 2wabs has a persistent brake drag that I cannot figure out. Ive replaced the master cylinder, calipers, pads, rotors, drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, flushed and bled the system, and I just replaced the flex hoses at the front and the drag persists. The wheels free up completely with the calipers removed and it’s not the slide bolts because they’re brand new and fully greased. I don’t think it’s a hydraulic issue because if I crack the bleeder fluid doesn’t come shooting out and the wheels don’t free up. Please advise

 

[DeeRanger]

Parking brake adjustment ?

 

[broncc]

How do you define drag? Do the brakes get overly hot when you drive? The pads don't really retract when you lift off the brakes. You should be able to spin the wheels by hand but may hear a little rubbing.

If they lock up does brake fluid shoot out of the bleeder when you open it?

 

[99weasel]

Parking brake adjustment ?

Parking brakes are only in the rear

 

[99weasel]

How do you define drag? Do the brakes get overly hot when you drive? The pads don't really retract when you lift off the brakes. You should be able to spin the wheels by hand but may hear a little rubbing.

If they lock up does brake fluid shoot out of the bleeder when you open it?

Brakes get hot enough to sizzle my spit off the rotors after driving. I thought it was the hubs for a while since the heat radiates there as well. Fluid does not shoot out the bleeder when I open it. Can turn the wheels by hand but they stop as soon as I let go. They don’t spin freely.

 

[broncc]

Hub torque spec is ~2ftlbs (finger tight works) if you want to check that.

A freshly purchased and greased caliper should slide open when stick a screwdriver in the rotor vents and pry. If it doesn't move find whats sticking there. Unbolt the bracket & caliper from the spindle and see if you can move the caliper on the pins. See if you can slide the piston in and out by hand next. Sometimes parts store rebuilt calipers aren't great.

 

[99weasel]

Not the hubs since it spins freely when calipers removed.
They’re brand new calipers and I greased the slide pins sufficiently.

I pushed in the pistons on one of the calipers and they went back smoothly

 

[Uncle Gump]

Just cause they're new... doesn't mean they're any good.

Is it one front caliper or both sides?

 

[Uncle Gump]

I have to also ask...

You say you greased them good...

Was it grease designed to lube caliper hardware?

Improper or too much grease is never good with brakes.

 

[Uncle Gump]

And....

Did they drag before you change things up?

 

[Roert42]

Are the wheels hot to the touch or just the rotors?
After how much driving, one mile or?

 

[99weasel]

Just cause they're new... doesn't mean they're any good.

Is it one front caliper or both sides?

Both sides equally

 

[99weasel]

And....

Did they drag before you change things up?

Didn’t check unfortunately. Pads were bald when I got the truck so I’m not sure if it would have even been noticeable

 

[99weasel]

Are the wheels hot to the touch or just the rotors?
After how much driving, one mile or?

It’s just the rotors that are the heat source but after maybe 3 miles at freeway speeds the heat radiates through the wheel and I can feel it on the hubs