Are my front brakes dragging?

[Chippy]

Hey guys. New to TJs, but not new to working on cars. I’m wondering how much space there should be between the pad and the rotor. On my 05, it looks like they are touching, and it’s very difficult to rotate by hand with the wheels off. I have to use a pry bar to turn it almost. Is this normal? On my other cars you can rotate the wheels pretty freely.

Any help is appreciated! I will probably end up doing a full brake overhaul here and replace the ball joints too.

 

[KennethS]

Discs should lightly contact the rotor.

The TJ has a front differential, so you're not only turning the wheel hub, but the carrier and the driveshaft. I haven't tried to rotate the hub on mine, so I can't say how hard it should be.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Pry bar? how manly man are your hands? . Sounds like they might be dragging. I find many of the pads sold these days are punched and have some pretty bad burs on the edges that make them hang up. Might try poping them out and cleaning them up first before doing a full rehab.

 

[macleanflood]

Rotors look polished and grooved...so they're due for a turn or replacement.

Black Magic Brakes has the best parts.

-Mac

 

[Chippy]

Rotors look polished and grooved...so they're due for a turn or replacement.

Black Magic Brakes has the best parts.

-Mac

Thanks. BMB is what I’ve heard from this forum. Only thing that makes me hold off is I’m stock height with the stock 31s. Wondering if it would be overkill.

The rotors are the OEM from 2005. I’ll replace with Centric coated premium and I’m thinking of buying the black magic zinc plated calipers too for rust resistance…. I live by the sea and drive on the sand/beach.