Brake Drag

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Brake drag occurs when the lining is in constant contact with the rotor or drum. Drag can occur at one wheel, all wheels, front only, or rears only. Drag is a product of incomplete brake shoe release. Drag can be minor or severe enough to overheat the linings, rotors, and drums. Minor drag will usually cause slight surface charring of the lining. It can also generate hard spots in rotors and drums from the overheat-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, tires, and brake components will be extremely hot. In severe cases, the lining may generate smoke as it chars from overheating. If brake drag occurs at all wheels, the problem may be related to a blocked master cylinder return port, or faulty power booster (bind-does not release). Common causes of brake drag are:

Seized or improperly adjusted parking brake cables.
Loose/worn wheel bearing.
Seized caliper or wheel cylinder piston.
Caliper binding on corroded bushings or rusted slide surfaces.
Loose caliper mounting.
Drum brake shoes binding on worn/damaged support plates
Mis-assembled components.
Long booster output rod.