03 Rear Brake Issue help

[boku]

I have an issue that is quite strange and hoping that somebody could shed some light on or at least give me some suggestions. First off I will say I just put on EBC Super Sport Rotors and EBC Red Pads about 1500 miles ago. I will also say this car is new to me but was an In-Laws before. They had issues where the parking brake would not release and would drag and also some times they had to turn off and on the car due to "dragging".

I am having a similar issue but have gather more information, I get the same "dragging" When I have weight in the rear. ( people sitting in the back seat, or weight in the trunk) It seems as though the brakes grab when going over bumps or at the bottom of a hilly road (when the springs compress). This feels like it is only the rear, and after stopping the car and getting out I can feel heat radiating off the rear brakes but not the front.

Any ideas or thoughts would be extremely helpful.

 

[joegr]

Sounds like you have a problem with one or more of the following:
1. You didn't correctly screw in the rear caliper pistons when you replaced pads.
2. You didn't line up the notches on the rear pistons with those on the pads.
3. Your parking brake cables are not routed correctly or the ends are messed up.
4. Your electronic parking brake module or your parking brake actuator has a problem.

 

[boku]

I used a tool from Harbor Freight to turn the pistons. I didn't know it could be done wrong... I lined up the notches on the pistons with the dimple on the pad. Is this correct?

I did notice that the white plastic parts on the Brake Cables looked worn.

 

[1LoudLS]

I used a tool from Harbor Freight to turn the pistons. I didn't know it could be done wrong...

no matter what youre doing, there is somebody out there that will find a way to do something wrong...

the rear pistons have to be turned to go back in, a lot of people without the correct tools will just use a large "C" clamp and will try to compress the piston back in without twisting.



the harbor freight tool is good to go, many on here have used it.

 

[voyeur]

Sounds like your in-laws had the same "brake dragging" sensation before you changed the rear rotors and pads. My thought is the parking brake cable as well. I would think that a loaded down car should not put the parking brakes on.
I know it is an electronic parking brake system, but I assume there is a cable somewhere...

 

[1LoudLS]

more weight on the suspension could not affect how hard the caliper squeezed the rotor unless it was due to the cable being routed wrong causing strain on the emergency line or pressure on the soft line itself...