I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crawdad · 11-17-2007, 07:50 PM

When I'm going real slow in my truck, I can feel, what seems like, a dragging brake. It is definitely related to the speed of the truck, but I can't feel it at high speed. I first noticed it when I was rolling down the driveway real slowly. It feels just like the brakes are grabbing with each turn of the wheel. So, I've put new tires on the truck, new ball joints installed, front end aligned and have had the brakes replaced front and back. and it still does the same thing!

I don't know what else could cause it. Could a transmission cause this. Tranny shifts fine and I haven't noticed a problem with it. I'm at a loss and could sure use your ideas on what to look for.

Thanks.

Mickey_D · 11-17-2007, 08:37 PM

When you had the brakes done, did they replace the drums and rotors?

trixter99 · 11-17-2007, 08:43 PM

If yiur truck was sitting for a while the rotors and drums probably rusted every where except where the pads and shoes were and now you can feel the clean spots every time the rotor turns. It doesnt take much time sitting for this to happen.

crawdad · 11-17-2007, 09:20 PM

Both of the front rotors were replaced. New pads installed.
Rear drums were turned and new shoes and wheel cylinders were installed. The guy that did this has a very reputable brake service center. I would have thought he would have picked up on anything that wasn't just right. So, in reading everyone's response, you've ruled out the tranny as a potential problem and have narrowed the problem to the rotating wheel assemblies???

MylilBowTie · 11-17-2007, 08:40 PM

Could be warped rotor / drum

Jack the front of the truck up and spin the front tires. See if it still does it that will tell you a little more about it. Should be able to hear if the rotors are warped or something else is going on.

**old Rusty C10** · 11-17-2007, 09:20 PM

im betting warped rotors or drums but are you sure your trans is ok... my trans does this in reverse and first butis ok in 2 and 3 on the TH350
other thing is the center carrier ok ? im told that cna have an effect and noise at low speeds

**crossy** · 11-17-2007, 09:24 PM

Imploded front brake line. jack the front up and rotate to se if it's noticeable then. If not drive the truck a bit and feel the heat of each side front rim. the hot one is the problem. crossy

89 crew · 11-17-2007, 10:24 PM

to find out if you have a brake draging take it for a drive. the harder it drags the less you will have to drive it. stop occasionally and check rotors for heat. the hottest side is the one dragging. If both are approx the same temp then most likely the brakes are not the problem. far as a cause of brakes draging. a caliper that is sticking is common. next would be a rubber hose. a piece of the inside rubber tears loose and blocks the oil from returning. I haven't run into this on 1 ton or less, but on a 7500 series topkick disk brakes if you put a pad on made out of the wrong material it will cause the brakes to drag.

crawdad · 11-17-2007, 10:37 PM

Forgot to say he also put new brake hoses on the front. I think I'm going to take it back to the brake shop and have them (re)check for warped rotors, sticking calipers, etc. What I was mainly trying to do in asking the question was to rule out things that it "wouldn't" or "couldn't" be, and in that way I could try and focus in on the things that it might be. So (1) could it be a bad transmission? (2) bad center bearing (3)????? Thanks for your help guys.

James McClure · 12-16-2007, 10:50 AM

crawdad: You answered your own question believe it or not. You have changed everythig else, whats' left? Calipers. First lets do a little test in a parking lot. Let the truck idle in gear no brakes apply. Pull the emergency brake release handle out and start applying the emergency brake, does the vehicle pulsate as you come to a stop? This test segregates front and rear brakes. My very best guess is a front caliper hanging up and like others have said, the hot one is the bad one. Replace them both if you find 1 bad. If you change them yourself make sure you get them on the correct side. Bleeder should face straight up, LOLL. I watched a couple of friends do this swap and laughed the whole time. They had the calipers reversed and the bleeders pointed down. After they put a gallon of brake fluid through it and still had no brakes I told them what they did wrong (after I had them buy me a case of Molsons) Nearly got the crap beat out of me. Jim

11-17-2007, 07:50 PM	#1
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out When I'm going real slow in my truck, I can feel, what seems like, a dragging brake. It is definitely related to the speed of the truck, but I can't feel it at high speed. I first noticed it when I was rolling down the driveway real slowly. It feels just like the brakes are grabbing with each turn of the wheel. So, I've put new tires on the truck, new ball joints installed, front end aligned and have had the brakes replaced front and back. and it still does the same thing! I don't know what else could cause it. Could a transmission cause this. Tranny shifts fine and I haven't noticed a problem with it. I'm at a loss and could sure use your ideas on what to look for. Thanks. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

11-17-2007, 08:37 PM	#2
Mickey_D Dirteh Kitteh Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mormon country Posts: 2,484	Re: I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out When you had the brakes done, did they replace the drums and rotors? __________________ Darrin 1955 Willys CJ-5 all original and the oldest CJ-5 on the road. 2001 Dodge Neon (wife's car) 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited Edition SOLD 1981 K15 Custom Deluxe 4X4, rusty but trusty wood hauler. SOLD 1993 S-10 4X4 Tahoe SOLD Sign up with the Contact List RIP ESLL

11-17-2007, 08:43 PM	#3
trixter99 I have no time for this Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Fort St John B.C. CANADA Posts: 434	Re: I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out If yiur truck was sitting for a while the rotors and drums probably rusted every where except where the pads and shoes were and now you can feel the clean spots every time the rotor turns. It doesnt take much time sitting for this to happen. __________________ 1986 Chevy short box ( PROJECT ) 1994 Chevy Blazer lifted 6" 2009 Gmc 2500 HD 1999 Hugger orange Camaro SS 2007 BMW X5 Sport

11-17-2007, 09:20 PM	#4
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Re: I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out Both of the front rotors were replaced. New pads installed. Rear drums were turned and new shoes and wheel cylinders were installed. The guy that did this has a very reputable brake service center. I would have thought he would have picked up on anything that wasn't just right. So, in reading everyone's response, you've ruled out the tranny as a potential problem and have narrowed the problem to the rotating wheel assemblies??? __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

11-17-2007, 08:40 PM	#5
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	Re: I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out Could be warped rotor / drum Jack the front of the truck up and spin the front tires. See if it still does it that will tell you a little more about it. Should be able to hear if the rotors are warped or something else is going on. __________________ 1974 C25 LWB: 454 4bbl Carb / TH400 / 3.73 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI Last edited by MylilBowTie; 11-17-2007 at 08:42 PM.

11-17-2007, 09:20 PM	#6
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,281	Re: I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out im betting warped rotors or drums but are you sure your trans is ok... my trans does this in reverse and first butis ok in 2 and 3 on the TH350 other thing is the center carrier ok ? im told that cna have an effect and noise at low speeds __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

11-17-2007, 09:24 PM	#7
crossy Oh,you can't buy that new Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsville,N.J. 08070, USA Posts: 2,039	Re: I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out Imploded front brake line. jack the front up and rotate to se if it's noticeable then. If not drive the truck a bit and feel the heat of each side front rim. the hot one is the problem. crossy __________________ "been there, done that, ruined the T-shirt". 2007 LBZ GMC Sierra, ECSB 2006 LM7 RCSB Silverado 98 Vortec project. 94,3500,6.5L 4L80 81 SWB GMC POS finally gone 73 Pinto, stock, w/CragarSS's-eww LOTS of Cummins trucks.

11-17-2007, 10:24 PM	#8
89 crew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 865	Re: I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out to find out if you have a brake draging take it for a drive. the harder it drags the less you will have to drive it. stop occasionally and check rotors for heat. the hottest side is the one dragging. If both are approx the same temp then most likely the brakes are not the problem. far as a cause of brakes draging. a caliper that is sticking is common. next would be a rubber hose. a piece of the inside rubber tears loose and blocks the oil from returning. I haven't run into this on 1 ton or less, but on a 7500 series topkick disk brakes if you put a pad on made out of the wrong material it will cause the brakes to drag.

11-17-2007, 10:37 PM	#9
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Re: I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out Forgot to say he also put new brake hoses on the front. I think I'm going to take it back to the brake shop and have them (re)check for warped rotors, sticking calipers, etc. What I was mainly trying to do in asking the question was to rule out things that it "wouldn't" or "couldn't" be, and in that way I could try and focus in on the things that it might be. So (1) could it be a bad transmission? (2) bad center bearing (3)????? Thanks for your help guys. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

12-16-2007, 10:50 AM	#10
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: I've got a crazy problem I can't figure out crawdad: You answered your own question believe it or not. You have changed everythig else, whats' left? Calipers. First lets do a little test in a parking lot. Let the truck idle in gear no brakes apply. Pull the emergency brake release handle out and start applying the emergency brake, does the vehicle pulsate as you come to a stop? This test segregates front and rear brakes. My very best guess is a front caliper hanging up and like others have said, the hot one is the bad one. Replace them both if you find 1 bad. If you change them yourself make sure you get them on the correct side. Bleeder should face straight up, LOLL. I watched a couple of friends do this swap and laughed the whole time. They had the calipers reversed and the bleeders pointed down. After they put a gallon of brake fluid through it and still had no brakes I told them what they did wrong (after I had them buy me a case of Molsons) Nearly got the crap beat out of me. Jim



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