Dragging Brake

[Esser]

I just pulled my kitfox out of the garage and noticed it's left brake is dragging bad enough that I needed a second person to help pull it back in. My brake lines aren't hooked up so I'm surprised it's dragging. All I have done is put about 10 psi in the tires. Anybody have any ideas on how to loosen this up? The right side is fine.

[jiott]

Take the bolts out of the caliper and pull off brake pads to see what's going on.

[HighWing]

My thought would be that when installing and tightening the bolts there was a slight misalignment between disk, pad and caliper. Then when tightening, it resulted in an inadvertent friction lock. Loosening the bolts, seating the caliper piston then re-tightening, I suspect would correct it.

[Floog]

This may sound silly

Let the air back out of the tire. If this corrects the problem, then tighten the bolts that hold the wheel halves together.

[mr bill]

Sounds like a brake puck may be stuck.

[N981MS]

I have had a similar issue for years on mine. Maybe since new.

If I brake to a complete stop and get out to push they drag. I can roll it but it is difficult.

If I let it coast a bit before the stop no drag.

My impression is that if they jiggle a bit while coasting in it seems to help.

If there is a known way to fix this I would be interested. But it is not really much of a problem in that I have adjusted to it.

[Esser]

This may sound silly

Let the air back out of the tire. If this corrects the problem, then tighten the bolts that hold the wheel halves together.

Funny, this is one of the things I was thinking of. Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I meant to get at it this weekend but life got in the way again! (Septic tank issues that needed attention)

[PapuaPilot]

For lubing the brake caliper pins I would avoid using anything that stays wet as it attracts dirt. Grease or oil could also be the reason the brakes caught on fire.

Where I work we teach the new mechanics to clean the pins & bushings and use a spray dry graphite.