Rear brakes/parking brake drag?

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
So, I thought I have an issue with the transmission, axle, mounts, but I think this is brakes related. The fact that it happens as soon as you drive off made me think I have felt this before on another car. I drove it 40-50 MPH, then while going back home as I slowed down to 20 or so the parking brake light started flashing and the traction light came on.I also heard a bit of a squealing noise while first driving, similar to what you would hear when the brake pads are about gone. It was coming from the rear. I remembered I had an Armada I had the same vibration turned out the emergency brake was on and I didn't know because the clutter bulb for the light was burned. So with this Subaru it is a power E-brake, so I am guessing removing the fuse would not do anything to test it as it is dragging already. Do these have adjustment? Or what do you recommend?
Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 AT 3:10 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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Here is a video:
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Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Do me a favor. If you suspect a brake may be causing a drag, do this. After driving the vehicle, a good distance, stop and walk around to see if there is excessive heat coming from any of the wheels. If there is a drag caused by the brakes, it will produce a lot of heat.

Also, if you were able to turn the wheel when the vehicle was in neutral and the brake released, it sounds like they are working properly. A slight rubbing sound isn't out of the ordinary.

As far as the light flashing/ABS, first, make sure the brake fluid is full. If it is, then let me know if the lights are remaining on. If they are, chances are there is a failing wheel speed sensor.

Here is a link you may find of interest:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-wheel-speed-sensor-test

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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I checked the bearing and it's bad so I replaced it as it was rough but I still see an issue. I checked the engine mounts, and they are good, same for the center support bearing, no play and no movement. That same side where the bearing is still barely moves when put in drive, only side that does that, even when I adjusted the inside drum shoes down in case something is catching, I was suspecting the parking brake on that side is maybe not fully disengaged. I can move the bearing with my hand but when the car is in drive all 3 wheels move freely and much faster, and it takes a bit of strength to stop the 3 wheels by hand, except for that one. That noise you hear in the video is just from the rotor not being fully on with the lug nuts, but this is strange, I pushed the brake shoes away from rotor in case the caliper is stuck bit that was not it. I lubricated the pins even though they were not stuck, sane results. If I stop the rear left by hand the right will move of course, I guess the nature of a rear end, but is it that all 3 move same speed except this rear, right?
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Thursday, June 8th, 2023 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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Also, all speed sensors are exactly the same when I drove it, no mis beat. Could a bent wheel show symptoms this early in speed? The problem is I did not see any of them wobble while she was up on 4. Even a torque converter issue would usually show once you drive a bit not immediately and I am not experiencing any trans issues. Feels like a transmission is just sitting on metal basically, but the mount looks okay unless I am going blind.
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Thursday, June 8th, 2023 AT 1:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

I watched the videos. When you feel the vibration, is it felt more in the steering or the seat and floor of the vehicle? Also, did you notice any excessive heat from any of the wheels after driving?

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, June 8th, 2023 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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No steering vibration, only cabin. No excess heat.
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Friday, June 9th, 2023 AT 4:26 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
If you feel it more in the cab of the vehicle and not the steering, it is likely related to a wheel or tire on the rear of the vehicle. Also, if there is no excessive heat from the wheels, the issue isn't a brake hanging up.

Have you checked tire balance, for a bent rim, and things related to the tires?

Joe
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Friday, June 9th, 2023 AT 11:50 PM

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