wheel bearings or brakes?

[jjmorrse]

I discovered this forum after I traded into a 91 suburban to tow my wife's horse trailer, and everyone has been very helpful. This vehicle has sit for a while before my purchase, and I am still going through it.

I noticed bearing grease being slung out of the hubs, so my first response was that someone had overfilled the bearings with grease and it was retaining heat, then melting out. I pulled the caps, and there was no excessive grease. I pulled the outer bearings, and they were not blue. THe left had a fair amout of grease, the right was pretty dry. I pulled wheels, and repacked the outer bearings and reinstalled. I did not remove the calipers, so I just torqued the bearing nut a little past hand tight with the rotors spinning and inserted new cotter pins. After driving, 4 miles or so in town, the hubs were pretty hot. I could touch them for a few seconds or so before the pain set in. I then loosened the bearings one hole and drove about 15 highway miles, and the hubs were still pretty hot, I could touch them for about 6 seconds or so.

I am now thinking that maybe my brakes are dragging. Since the last chevy I had was a 1971 camaro, and it has been several years, I cannot remember how much drag is expected from the calipers. With the wheel off, spinning the rotor results in about 1/4 to 1/2 turn before it stops. With the wheel off, I can spin the wheel about 2 to 2 1/2 turns before it stops.

Should I retighten the bearings tighter? How will know if they are too loose? I have not lost any pedal from wheel oscillation and it seems relatively stable at 70?

If my brakes are sticking, what is a common cause? Both sides seem similar, so I doubt both calipers are out at once. Master cylinder?

I don't seem to be producing must dust.

Any help would be appreciated.

[lolife99]

Does the truck pull to the left or right when braking?
I would guess it's the calipers or front brake hoses.
Maybe jack it up with the front wheels off, (on jackstands, of course), and apply the brake pedal.
Then try to rotate the rotors. It sounds like the calipers are sticking.
If it pulls while braking,... you may have a clogged brake hose on the opposite side.
Calipers are relatively cheap.
Let us know what you find out.

[raycow]

If the pads are dragging on both sides, I don't think the calipers are at fault. It sounds more like a master cylinder problem. Either the piston isn't retracting fully or the residual pressure valve is bad. It might even be the wrong MC, like a drum type being used for discs. Check the pushrod adjustment on both sides of the booster before you start replacing parts.

Also, readjust the bearings to specs. It won't do them any good if you drive with them loose.

Ray