Front Wheels lock up when i tighten lug nuts Help
 

I have a 98 Cherokee sport. Changed the front pads on it the other day now the front wheels lock up when I tighten the lug nuts just even hand tight. It will spin freely when the wheel is off and when the lug nuts are not tight but if you tighten even one of them it binds up. I put new rotors on thinking that might solve the issue but it does not. It worked fine before the new pads were installed so I don't think its the hoses. I did remove dust shields a couple years ago and had no issue but that was with the old pads they don't have to be on for a spacer right?

You don't need the dust shields.

Where is it binding up? On the brakes or somewhere else?

It might just be that the new pads and rotors are making it very tight in there - when the wheel spins without pressure on the brake pedal the force of the rotation backs the pad off the rotor - when you tighten up the lugs it pushes the rotor tight against the inner pad so either it's just a little tight and you just need to drive it normally to force the caliper to settle to the proper location OR that the caliper piston couldn't be pushed into the bore properly and you'll need a new caliper.

If it's just that the brakes are tight with the new pads and rotors then this is completely normal and you just need to drive it. If you start driving it and start to feel any tugging or it's making noise, then something is wrong.

If you do put it back together and it's fine - make sure to "seat" the new pads. Do a search in this forum for instructions if you're not familiar with the process.

Thanks Pat I believe it is the pads hanging up when the lugs are tightened. The piston pushes in and comes out freely when the brakes are depressed with the wheel off.
Its so tight the tires lock up in gravel, I had to put it in 4wd to get it back into my garage. Not sure if I should run it like that for a bit and see if they wear in or not.

It definitely shouldn't lock up in gravel. Did you have any ruts in the knuckle where the pads slide? It definitely seems like either the caliper piston won't go all the way in or the pads are getting hung up in the ruts that are extremely common.

I'm not clear. Does it have the binding problem with both the old rotors and the new rotors?

I've done new pads and rotors on my 96 many times and have always been able to move the tire by hand even after fully tightening the lugs. Something is definitely wrong, and should be corrected before driving again.

My first guess would be you were given the wrong rotors, and they are too deep, such that tightening the lugs presses it into the pad in a way that it should not. But if you say old rotors had same problem, we'll have to keep looking.

Great advice I will check the ruts. thanks

It does do it with the old rotors as well. im guessing the old pads worked bc they were pretty worn

did you replace the rotors?

Yes it does it with both the old and new rotors

I'd also double check that the pads are correct, but I still suspect this is the very common rutting of the knuckle with the pads getting hung up and not retracting correctly.

are your rims hitting the caliper ?