Last week I noticed and dragging sound like a caliper was not relasing off the rotor. So I decided it was time for a full brake job. I did have some warping that I could feel in the pedal and the over all stopping performance was not that great.

First was the rears. The truck has 93K and the rears have never been touched and the fronts were done at 55K miles. I replaced the rotors and pads with high quality parts and made sure the slipe pins were free and well lubricated. The rear drum E brake was not dragging do to the fact I could by hand remove the rotors without any resistance from the E brake shoes.

Next was the front. I had the rotors turned because there was very little wear. I replaced the pads with high quality pads. I noticed that there was one slide pin on each caliper that was siezed. I heated them up and was able to free the pins. I cleaned the pins and the bore and lubricated the pins. Reinstalled all the parts and took a test drive. I properly seated the pads to the rotors by doing the procedure mentioned on the forums before.

Everything seemed fine until I heard that dragging sounds again. The thing now is it seems to get louds as I apply the brake.

The results of the brake job is great other than the sound. It stops VERY quick with no fade or pedal irregularities.

What could this sound be? If you are moving the sound is there. The I can apply the E brake and disengage it fine.

What are the signs of a caliper starting to malfunction? There was no fluid leaking and the pistons compressed in the caliper with a C clamp as normal.

I can't tell if the sound is coming from all four wheel or one specific. That is the next step.

Can a wheal bearing sound like this?

Any help would be great.

 

Bump.......................

 

Disc brakes always make a little noise. The pads never fully "release" from the rotors, they float on the rotors during normal operation. That sound you hear could be normal.

Otherwise, it could also be your front hubs. Lock your hubs and take a spin, see if the noise goes away. If so, your hubs need maintenance.

Tire noise can also sound like this, especially if the front end is a little out of alignment.

Also check your driveshaft, U-joints and carrier bearing (if you have one) for wear.

 

I realize that the pads never fully release. This sound just started about a week or so ago.

I am really starting to think I need to look elsewhere than the brakes. The front needle bearing were service about 1 1/2 years ago at 60K mile service.

I will lock the hubs to see if there is any difference is sound. The U joints have never been touched but this does not sound like a U joint. But I will take a look.

 

Sounds to me like a front wheel bearing problem. They tend to start a growl much like a break dragging when they are beginning to have problems. I would get this truck up on a lift with someone in the cab and do a few runs to see if I could determine which corner the noise is coming from. Good Luck

 

check your backing plates. i had the left rear dragging on the rotor on mine. if you look you will be able to see where it is rubbing at, it will have a shiny spot on the backing plate. just bend it back a little bit

 

Elmo....that is something that I will check. I did whack it with a hammer while trying to remove to rotor my accident.

 

After looking closer and having my dad listen we narrowed it down to the front brakes. Jack the front up and turn the wheel by hand and you can hear the same sound coming from the new pads. Why would this be? Both sides make the same noise.

 

You normally get SOME rubbing sound from the brakes when spinning the wheels by hand, but not enough to hear inside the cab.

Something sounds fishy...