Brakes Dragging on 1993 ZR-1

[dnobull]

After noticing that my front brakes were dragging slightly I had the pads replaced. This made the mater worse. :(

What other things should I replace to solve this problem.

Should I replace the calipers or have someone rebuild them?
Should I replace the brake lines?

Thanks,

Dave Noble
dnobull@gmail.com

[conesare2seconds]

Try lubricating the caliper slide pins. I use high-temp grease.

[dnobull]

Thank you for your reply, I did have that done when the pads were replaced. I am wondering if the Calipers need to be rebuilt or if the hoses could be breaking down internally. The problem seems to get worse as the car is driven and the rotors heat up.

[G8nightman]

Might be mater cylinder when was the last time you flushed your brake fluid?


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[dnobull]

Not yet but that will be next Thank you for your reply. I am also thinking to rebuild the calipers but need a source for the parts.

[Roadster]

I would check and maybe replace your brake lines. They can look good from the outside, but be bad on the inside causing the fluid not to flow properly or not even flow at all. A way to check your hoses is to disconnect them and blow air through them. That will give you a good indication of the condition of them from the inside. If any are suspect, now would be a good time to replace all 4 hoses. JMO Good luck....

[S.hafsmo]

Or just open the bleed screw and squeeze the brakes. My money would be on sticking caliper pistons.

[USAFPILOT]

I had to flush the brake system and get rebuilt calipers, now its good; but I had the same problem. I think it was the calipers.

[dnobull]

Thanks for your reply, I think I will replace the Calipers or have them re built and do the Brake lines at the same time,

Dave Noble 1993 #180

[dnobull]

Thanks for your reply that makes sense to me and will be the next thing. I might replace the brake lines at the same time

[dnobull]

I appreciate your reply and will probably do the Brake lines as well as the calipers. Hope I can keep the original calipers by rebuilding them

[Ccmano]

Get braided stainless steel brake lines, it firms up the feel of the brakes. Unless there was water in the brake lines, the calipers should be rebuildable. Given the age of the car you may want to do the Master cylinder at the same time. More often than not the MC goes out a few months after doing the rest.
H

[dnobull]

I appreciate your suggestions. Do you know if Rock Auto is a good source for these parts or is there a better source.

Dave Noble

[Ccmano]

I appreciate your suggestions. Do you know if Rock Auto is a good source for these parts or is there a better source.

Dave Noble

Rock Auto is good for everything except the stainless lines. eBay is good for the stainless lines. Just make sure they are name brand like Russell, Earls or Goodridge. Also be certain they are for a Z. The rears are slightly longer than the standard car.
H

[dnobull]

Thanks for the additional information about the rear brake hoses being longer on a Z. I was looking on Rock Auto and noticed that there hoses are the same length for non Z and ZR-1. They are both listed as 11.375 in or 288.925 MM Do you know how long the correct Brake hose is for the rear Brakes on a 1993 ZR-1

[Ccmano]

The regular hoses will fit but are a tighter fit. Most places just sell the one. Stay with Russell, Earls or Goodridge and you'll be fine. Russell specifically states they are for both regular and ZR-1.
H

[dnobull]

Ok thank you. I really appreciate the information

Dave Noble

[5ABI VT]

The only experience I have had with dragging brakes it was the caliper pistons that were dirty or rusting. I pulled a caliper off.. inserted a piece of wood thinner than the rotor and pressed the brakes so the piston would push out but not pop out (wood stops it from over extending). then pulled back the rubber boot/seals and clean/lubricate them up. All was well.

[Marc Haibeck]

Every time I have seen that problem it was caused by the master cylinder.

It's easy to determine for sure if the master is the problem. Have a brake line wrench in the car. Drive until the dragging is felt. Then loosen a brake line nut on the master cylinder. If the car rolls freely immediately after releasing the pressure, the master cylinder was the cause.

[dnobull]

I appreciate the information Thank you

[WARP TEN]

Every time I have seen that problem it was caused by the master cylinder.

It's easy to determine for sure if the master is the problem. Have a brake line wrench in the car. Drive until the dragging is felt. Then loosen a brake line nut on the master cylinder. If the car rolls freely immediately after releasing the pressure, the master cylinder was the cause.



Marc's comments are always worth their weight in gold. He does not comment on problems too frequently, but when he does he is always worth listening to, as he had pretty much seen it all....Bob

[dnobull]

Mark,

I have spoken with you on the phone regarding another issue with a vacuum leak. Certainly do appreciate your expert feed back. The releasing of pressure on the Master cylinder will be at the top of my list.

Thanks,

Dave Noble

:fahne:

[Flyman 27]

Thanks for your reply, I think I will replace the Calipers or have them re built and do the Brake lines at the same time,

Dave Noble 1993 #180

While you are replacing stuff, make sure that you purge out all the old brake fluid & replace it. You want to remove as much crud as you can.
Sounds to me like a sticking caliper, seen it before. But, it should have been obvious when the calipers were being retracted for the install of the new pads...
That part doesn't make sense.

[dnobull]

Thanks for your reply. Yes we will replace the fluid. Since I am having someelse do the work I will have to be sure that the master cylander is in the clear first. Marc Haibeck geve me a simple test to clear it. Then if that is not the issue it will be Calipers and Brake hoses.

You guys are terrific to reply with such details. I hope this the last thing to repair to have a perfect #180 This car has been through a lot, but the Buck stops here. If I ever sell it the next owner will get a perfect car.

Dave Noble