Rear Brake Pads Dragging

[HAMONTHEBONE]

Hi All,

I have recently changed all discs and pads on my 2005 Rav4, but the rear pads are dragging slightly. The car rolls ok down small inclines but you can hear the pads in contact with the discs. After travelling for a few miles the discs get quite hot. I have re-checked the callipers and the pad securing pins and they are free. Could there be a problem with the pistons and/or hoses.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[anchorman]

It should be easy enough to check. jack up each rear wheel and rock it to see which one is binding. When you find it just ease the pads back and see if it is free. If it isn't then you need to pop the disc off and have a look at the handbrake shoes.

[jedi134]

Yep like Anchorman says check the rear brake shoes are not binding, I serviced mine yesterday and found that both left and right bottom guide pins on the pads where stuck solid. Once freed they seemed ok, must have got water in there at some point, there was also a lot of rust inside the disc where the shoes live.

[CharlieFarlie]

Is the handbrake on a separate system to the normal pads then ??

[jedi134]

on a 4.2 rav it is, not sure about the 4.3s

[HAMONTHEBONE]

Thanks Guys. In reply to anchorman. I have tried that and when I ease the pads the wheel is free. I can only guess it is the piston not returning.

[Davrav]

Is the handbrake on a separate system to the normal pads then ??

Handbrake pads sit inside the 'drum' part of the rear disc.

[Big Kev]

Thanks Guys. In reply to anchorman. I have tried that and when I ease the pads the wheel is free. I can only guess it is the piston not returning.

Anyone who posts "piston broke" at this juncture shall be severely censurised....did you fit Toyota pads or "pattern" bits....?

Name Unknown

[jedi134]

Thanks Guys. In reply to anchorman. I have tried that and when I ease the pads the wheel is free. I can only guess it is the piston not returning.

Why dont you strip them again and see if the piston pushes back freely, move it in and out a few times, Usually frees them up. I always do this on rusty looking calipers.

[bothwell_buyer]

Unfortunately I have had a run of Toyota caliper pistons not returning properly.. leading to over-heating and pad material getting welded onto the disc. A set of Previa rear discs were the most horrendous I'd ever seen (found just after I bought the beast)

The number 1 RAV now uses 6 pot calipers from a racing breed as the original calipers were guff big time.

Maybe its something they put in the road material in Scotland?? Anyway, as said, give the caliper pistons a really good clean and probably a new set of the pins.

[anchorman]

Thanks Guys. In reply to anchorman. I have tried that and when I ease the pads the wheel is free. I can only guess it is the piston not returning.

I don't know how familiar you are with the calipers but the pistons don't return as such they just apply and stay there. It is really the movement of the disc that pushes the pads back out of contact. I usually use a g clamp to push the piston back and it is quite stiff but that is how the footbrake is automatically adjusted.

CF - yes there is a small drum brake inside the rear disc, exactly the same as that shown in the pinned section for 4.2.

[HAMONTHEBONE]

Thanks for the advice everyone. When the rain goes I will have another look.