New Brake pads grinding... normal?

2003 VTEC, I just changed the front brake pads myself. It seems to stop fine, but the front wheel is not spinning freely -- the rotors are scraping the new pads. I can spin it by hand and hear/feel the friction. Yes, I used the shop manual to do it, and pushing those 3 pistons back was hard.

***Is that normal? expected? ***

Your experience is welcome, please.

(No, I'll not add WD40 to fix the friction issue, as my 8year old suggested.)

 

Have the calipers ever been rebuilt? Could be time; pistons and seals lead a very brutal life.

Some light friction is normal; pads will touch very slightly.

Best,

Kristian

 

You should also check that the sliding pins that the calipers mount on are suitably slidey, if not the calipers will have a harder time aligning nicely with the disc.

 

I'd go with Terry on the freely moving sliders. As a lot of diy stuff I've seen had had them packed up with grease to the extent they can't move freely.

 

+1 - Sounds like the pads are not sliding back smoothly within the calliper - sorry remove pads, clean thoroughly the calliper with brake cleaner ensure the pins holding the pads allow the pads to slide along.

A more unlikely issue is crap has built up in the bobbins and preventing the disc float - see this video..



Let us know how you get on.

SkiMad