Hello guys... I have been lurking in the shadows of this site for a while now, reading and learning. It is an excellent source for information when needed. Today, however, I have an issue that needs insight that I just cant seem to search out.

Customer brings me the above-mentioned car with a toasted tranny. I swapped it out with a good used one, and had no issues until I went to install the left side wheel. The hub/rotor/axleshaft spin as they should when the wheel is OFF. As soon as I tighten down the lugs, I can't budge it. The right side wheel has no issue. it tightens down and rotates fine. I have already swapped left/right wheel with same results. There is no play in the hub, the brakes are installed correctly, and there is no evidence of rub on the inside of the tire or wheel. Also, I forced the car to move about 6 feet in either direction and heard no noises, but there is obvious drag.

During the tranny swap, on both sides, I pulled the strut, spindle, rotor, caliper braket, axle shaft and hub as an assembly, then dropped the K-frame out with the control arms attached. I hung the caliper with mechanics wire from the strut holes. Then I simply re installed. This is a real and I promised to deliver the car on Monday. Can anyone shed some light?

id check to see if the caliper will slide back and forth correctly. sounds like it might be binding up.

Thank you eltatertoto. I will check it out and post results. But not today... 86 hours this week and I am taking today off!

Well you were close. The inboard pad was so worn down that the backing plate was actually able to slip past the caliper bracket on the bottom side, binding the pad against the rotor. The customer declined brake service so I told her it isn't leaving here unless it is on a wrecker. THANK YOU!

I didn't know any shop could legally withhold a customers car because of a safety related item.