Heavy Brake Drag

Brake drag occurs when the lining is in constant contact with the rotor or drum.
- Drag can occur at one wheel, all wheels, fronts only, or rears only.
- It is a product of incomplete brake shoe release.
- Drag can be minor or severe enough to overheat the linings, rotors and drums.

Brake drag also has a direct effect on fuel economy.
- If undetected, minor brake drag can be misdiagnosed as an engine of transmission/torque converter problem.

Minor drag will usually cause slight surface charring of the lining.
- It can also generate hard spots in rotors and drums from the over heat-cool down process.
- In most cases, the rotors, drums, wheels and tires are quite warm to the touch after the vehicle is stopped.

Severe drag can char the brake lining all the way through.
- It can also distort and score rotors and drums to the point of replacement.
- The wheels tire and brake components will be extremely hot.
- In severe cases, the lining may generated smoke as it chars from over heating.

Common Causes:
- Seized or improperly adjusted parking brake cable
- Loose or damaged wheel bearing
- Seized caliper or wheel cylinder piston
- Caliper binding on corroded bushings or rusted slide surfaces
- Loose caliper mounting bracket
- Drum brake shoes binding on worn damaged support plates
- Mis-assembled components -- e.g. Rear brake adjusters reversed
- Operator riding brake pedal.
- Incomplete brake pedal return due to linkage interference.
- Faulty booster check valve holding pressure in hydraulic system.
- Residual pressure in front brake hydraulic system.
- Brake pedal binding at pivot.

If brake drag occurs at ALL WHEELS, the problem may be related to a blocked master cylinder return port or faulty power booster (binds-does not release).

An improperly installed or adjusted stoplamp switch can also cause brake drag. If the switch is positioned so it prevents full pedal return, a partial apply and drag will occur.