Front brakes dragging. HELP! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1774btcrew** · 08-08-2012, 01:28 PM

I have had my 1/2 ton Crewcab short bed done for almost 5 years. When I originally built it I put new calipers on it. My truck has the larger rotors and that is the calipers I supposably purchased(Autozone) . Is it possible they gave me the wrong calipers or could it be another problem? When it was initially done I just figured they would wear in but after 5 years they still drag. I would really like to get this resolved. I am getting 26MPG highway right now but would really like to improve it and I know if I could get the brakes to quit dragging I am sure it would help. Is there a part number cast into the calipers I can check? I appreciate any help.

I guess I should add that I am using the original 3/4 ton Brake Booster and proportioning valve. I bought a complet heavy half ton frame and unbolted the complete front crossmember. Rolled it under mine, cleaned and greased the bearings, turned the rotors and put new calipers on it. That is all.

gchemist · 08-08-2012, 03:04 PM

Calipers are fitted for each rotor and brake size. So you're fine there. Any brake system has drag on it. The pads are always touching the rotor. Now if it's more than just a slight free spin, then you have a problem.

Anybody here would be happy with 26 MPG!!

**1774btcrew** · 08-08-2012, 03:49 PM

I put the Cummins in if for the mileage but my dad is getting 30-31 Highway with his 94 GMC 4x4 with a 4bt Cummins and 5 speed. I hate him to be getting better mileage than me with a 4x4!

gchemist · 08-08-2012, 04:46 PM

The 4bt is only 3.9 liters. Is yours a 5.9? Huge difference in liter size!!

**1774btcrew** · 08-08-2012, 06:17 PM

It is just the 3.9 Cummins

WarBeard · 08-08-2012, 10:27 PM

Then it's gotta be aerodynamics, weight, modern axles and tranny?

**1774btcrew** · 08-08-2012, 10:35 PM

There is actually quite a bit of drag on the wheels. As far as newer components maybe the axles but I am actually running a 4l80e so it shouldn't be that. Could be that he had a manual tranny and I have the automatic though.

WarBeard · 08-08-2012, 10:38 PM

So you took off the calipers and the rotor spun freely? Could it possibly be wheel bearings?

**1774btcrew** · 08-08-2012, 10:41 PM

Ya, I did check that. I just can't help thinking it is the proportioning valve. But I really just don't know brakes

**1774btcrew** · 08-08-2012, 10:44 PM

I appreciate everyone's input. I am just trying to get a couple bugs worked out of the truck that have been an issue for a while. It needs a torque converter now and just can't bring myself to do it in 115 degree heat so I thought I might fix a couple of the less involved things if at all possible.

Rogue_Alphonse · 08-08-2012, 10:50 PM

It could just be your TC causing all the issue if it needs replaced. Also your gearing... your pop's truck might have a more efficient ratio setup, especially considering it's newer.

WarBeard · 08-08-2012, 10:53 PM

Lived in Mesa all my life. I know that heat!

**1774btcrew** · 08-08-2012, 10:59 PM

The Phoenix area is an oven in the summer! I have been here since 83. Ready to live somewhere cooler where working on my truck doesn't cook my brains!

raceman6135 · 08-08-2012, 11:56 PM

How old are the front brake flex hoses? It's fairly common that at the end of their life, the inside can collapse, effectively not allowing the brakes to fully release.

**1774btcrew** · 08-09-2012, 12:54 AM

I hadn't even considered the brake lines. I am quite sure they are originals and have been on the truck since 77

jhngardner367 · 08-09-2012, 01:44 AM

I agree with Raceman6135. Mine did the same thing,and I had to replace both hoses.

08-08-2012, 01:28 PM	#1
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,602	Front brakes dragging. HELP! I have had my 1/2 ton Crewcab short bed done for almost 5 years. When I originally built it I put new calipers on it. My truck has the larger rotors and that is the calipers I supposably purchased(Autozone) . Is it possible they gave me the wrong calipers or could it be another problem? When it was initially done I just figured they would wear in but after 5 years they still drag. I would really like to get this resolved. I am getting 26MPG highway right now but would really like to improve it and I know if I could get the brakes to quit dragging I am sure it would help. Is there a part number cast into the calipers I can check? I appreciate any help. I guess I should add that I am using the original 3/4 ton Brake Booster and proportioning valve. I bought a complet heavy half ton frame and unbolted the complete front crossmember. Rolled it under mine, cleaned and greased the bearings, turned the rotors and put new calipers on it. That is all.

08-08-2012, 03:04 PM	#2
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! Calipers are fitted for each rotor and brake size. So you're fine there. Any brake system has drag on it. The pads are always touching the rotor. Now if it's more than just a slight free spin, then you have a problem. Anybody here would be happy with 26 MPG!! __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

08-08-2012, 03:49 PM	#3
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,602	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! I put the Cummins in if for the mileage but my dad is getting 30-31 Highway with his 94 GMC 4x4 with a 4bt Cummins and 5 speed. I hate him to be getting better mileage than me with a 4x4!

08-08-2012, 04:46 PM	#4
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! The 4bt is only 3.9 liters. Is yours a 5.9? Huge difference in liter size!! __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

08-08-2012, 06:17 PM	#5
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,602	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! It is just the 3.9 Cummins

08-08-2012, 10:27 PM	#6
WarBeard Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Show low,az Posts: 808	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! Then it's gotta be aerodynamics, weight, modern axles and tranny? __________________ 1978 C10 Silverado Big 10 350/350.. play toy 1990 V1500 Suburban 350/700r4..Daily driver 1987 K10 Silverado 383/400.. Wife's rig WRECKED! 1989 V2500 Suburban 350/400.. SOLD! 1974 C10 Custom10 LWB 350/350.. SOLD! 1974 C10 Custom10 SWB 350/400.. SOLD! 1999 Silverado Z71 LS1.. Wife's rig WRECKED! On the hunt for a new project....... I'm a Chevy guy.....I'm just not a "NEW" Chevy guy.

08-08-2012, 10:35 PM	#7
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,602	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! There is actually quite a bit of drag on the wheels. As far as newer components maybe the axles but I am actually running a 4l80e so it shouldn't be that. Could be that he had a manual tranny and I have the automatic though.

08-08-2012, 10:38 PM	#8
WarBeard Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Show low,az Posts: 808	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! So you took off the calipers and the rotor spun freely? Could it possibly be wheel bearings? __________________ 1978 C10 Silverado Big 10 350/350.. play toy 1990 V1500 Suburban 350/700r4..Daily driver 1987 K10 Silverado 383/400.. Wife's rig WRECKED! 1989 V2500 Suburban 350/400.. SOLD! 1974 C10 Custom10 LWB 350/350.. SOLD! 1974 C10 Custom10 SWB 350/400.. SOLD! 1999 Silverado Z71 LS1.. Wife's rig WRECKED! On the hunt for a new project....... I'm a Chevy guy.....I'm just not a "NEW" Chevy guy.

08-08-2012, 10:41 PM	#9
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,602	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! Ya, I did check that. I just can't help thinking it is the proportioning valve. But I really just don't know brakes

08-08-2012, 10:44 PM	#10
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,602	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! I appreciate everyone's input. I am just trying to get a couple bugs worked out of the truck that have been an issue for a while. It needs a torque converter now and just can't bring myself to do it in 115 degree heat so I thought I might fix a couple of the less involved things if at all possible.

08-08-2012, 10:50 PM	#11
Rogue_Alphonse Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Gap PA Posts: 280	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! It could just be your TC causing all the issue if it needs replaced. Also your gearing... your pop's truck might have a more efficient ratio setup, especially considering it's newer. __________________ 1991 Mustang GT Vert, T-5 w/ Pro 5.0, Trick Flow upper & lower, BBK cold air intake, 3:73, BAMA chip, etc. 1988 K5 Blazer, [coming soon] TBI 400, SM465/NP208, 12 bolt rear, 3:08's, looks like a 1980. 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 fully loaded daily driver! Where there's a will, there's a rig!

08-08-2012, 10:53 PM	#12
WarBeard Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Show low,az Posts: 808	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! Lived in Mesa all my life. I know that heat! __________________ 1978 C10 Silverado Big 10 350/350.. play toy 1990 V1500 Suburban 350/700r4..Daily driver 1987 K10 Silverado 383/400.. Wife's rig WRECKED! 1989 V2500 Suburban 350/400.. SOLD! 1974 C10 Custom10 LWB 350/350.. SOLD! 1974 C10 Custom10 SWB 350/400.. SOLD! 1999 Silverado Z71 LS1.. Wife's rig WRECKED! On the hunt for a new project....... I'm a Chevy guy.....I'm just not a "NEW" Chevy guy.

08-08-2012, 10:59 PM	#13
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,602	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! The Phoenix area is an oven in the summer! I have been here since 83. Ready to live somewhere cooler where working on my truck doesn't cook my brains!

08-08-2012, 11:56 PM	#14
raceman6135 Dino burner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 602	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! How old are the front brake flex hoses? It's fairly common that at the end of their life, the inside can collapse, effectively not allowing the brakes to fully release.

08-09-2012, 12:54 AM	#15
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,602	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! I hadn't even considered the brake lines. I am quite sure they are originals and have been on the truck since 77



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08-09-2012, 01:44 AM	#16
jhngardner367 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Austin, Arkansas Posts: 248	Re: Front brakes dragging. HELP! I agree with Raceman6135. Mine did the same thing,and I had to replace both hoses. __________________ Always expect the unexpected,....but don't expect the unexpected to be the unexpected you expect ! I'm busier than a one-legged cat,in a sandbox! Veteran..and proud ! I can't fix what ain't broke....you want I should break it?

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