Really tight front brakes!

[HotWheelsBurban]

Back in the 80s?!? You probably had to watch for dinosaur crossing signs back then…

Nah, that was in my parents' day

 

[Ricko1966]

Brakes are optional. I can build an engine and drive but who needs to stop?

Smart people.

 

[Truck82]

Your gvw is on the door tag.

Sorry I meant what GVW did they put them on? I have a 8,600 GVW that was a 6.2 diesel truck

 

[Truck82]

I’d go back to describing exactly how the brakes feel now and how that’s different than last week. Re-reading your initial post, you’ve explained that you didn’t identify any caliper piston issue because you never actually tried to retract them with enough force. Therefore it would be very difficult to reassemble especially with grooved pads and rotors and likely a lip on the rotor from wear.
That is now what you should have expected based on your reassembly.
Now on to the “new” operational issue. Describe that. If it’s not stopping as good, possible you may not have the same pads in the same location therefor the custom grooving doesn’t match up and your brakes will suck until they wear the same to make full contact.
If you’re sure the same pads went back in the same spot then it’s back to the symptoms when braking.

Ok so the brakes last week felt good. The pedal was a little firm but had great response. The little bumps in the pedal eventually evened out to where I hardly noticed them. Brakes worked like they should. Now they’re tight. The pedal feels fine but it feels like the pads don’t back off when I release the brakes and are rubbing more than they should. I can feel them when trying to drive that’s how tight they are.
I'm 100% sure the pads went back in the same spot

 

[fast 99]

A heat gun can help diagnosis of uneven or dragging brakes. HF has them for less than $20.

 

[Truck82]

A heat gun can help diagnosis of uneven or dragging brakes. HF has them for less than $20.

Just a normal heat gun? I got one of those in the garage

 

[fast 99]

Yes, take a short drive get out and temp all 4 corners. Rotors on brake surface, drums on outside circumference. If reasonably even side to side try a couple moderately hard stops. Post the results.

 

[Truck82]

Yes, take a short drive get out and temp all 4 corners. Rotors on brake surface, drums on outside circumference. If reasonably even side to side try a couple moderately hard stops. Post the results.

What do you mean side to side? The wheel turned?

 

[fast 99]

Compare left side to right side front / same on rear. They won't be exactly the same but should be close.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Just a normal heat gun? I got one of those in the garage

Not a heat gun like what you heat up shrink wrap with, an infrared thermometer. Take the truck for a short drive, get out and check the drums, calipers and rotors. If any of them are super hot, you have your answer.

https://www.harborfreight.com/121-infrared-laser-thermometer-63985.html

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[Truck82]

Not a heat gun like what you heat up shrink wrap with, an infrared thermometer. Take the truck for a short drive, get out and check the drums, calipers and rotors. If any of them are super hot, you have your answer.

https://www.harborfreight.com/121-infrared-laser-thermometer-63985.html

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Not the heat gun I was thinking
I have both so ok!

 

[Truck82]

Yes, take a short drive get out and temp all 4 corners. Rotors on brake surface, drums on outside circumference. If reasonably even side to side try a couple moderately hard stops. Post the results.

I took about a 15 minute drive with a few normal stops and maybe 4-5 hard stops. got out and felt the brakes with my hands. (Couldn't find my temp gun. I never can find stuff when I need it) The front discs were warm... that's it. Not heat warm, just not cold. The rear drums? HOT, HOT, HOT! I couldn't keep my hands on them for more than a second or two.

 

[Truck82]

Well everyone, thanks for all the help. I found the problem. I have my dash pulled apart for a new circuit board and LED lights so my park brake light wasn't on. That simple. I had the park brake on all the time. I hardly ever have my park brake on but since I had the front of the truck up I applied it... I can't stop kicking myself for not even seeing the pedal pushed down. There is still the problem of the front discs being tight and not being able to turn by hand. How snug are disc brakes supposed to be? I know there supposed to have a little drag but not sure how much.
I really appreciate all the help!

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

I took about a 15 minute drive with a few normal stops and maybe 4-5 hard stops. got out and felt the brakes with my hands. (Couldn't find my temp gun. I never can find stuff when I need it) The front discs were warm... that's it. Not heat warm, just not cold. The rear drums? HOT, HOT, HOT! I couldn't keep my hands on them for more than a second or two.

Maybe the wheel cylinders are sticking... sounds like the rear brakes are heating up which usually means they're sticking. Over adjusted, bad or contaminated linings on the shoes, show lining coming off and jamming the hardware and linkage....
After I replaced the parts on the front of my truck (which did need replacement), I was still having the "hopping/sticking" issues. Turns out, both rear wheel cylinders were leaking and contaminated the linings. They were cleaned and the cylinders were replaced, and the problem has gone away.

 

[fast 99]

If the rotors could be turned before calipers were installed its calipers.

Although not set in stone my rule was replace calipers every second brake job. How many do you think your truck has had?