I was inspecting my front brake pads this evening and noticed that the pads on both front wheels are resting directly on the discs. That is, when the brake pedal is not depressed the pads are touching the disc and *seem* to be giving resistance when i spin the discs by hand. Is this normal? Should there be space between the pads and discs when the brakes are not actuated?

 

it's normal to seem that way. have the caliper slides cleaned and lubed or replaced&lubed ,good maintenence if nothing else

 

Normal, the seal in the caliper pulls the caliper piston back just enough to keep the pads from wearing after the brake pedal is released. Slight run out in the rotors (disc) also pushes the pads back too.