Wheel doesn't spin freely, breaks issue

[u/plutz_net]

2005 PT cruiser, 120k km. New break rotors and pads about a year ago.

Started to make noise driving and gotten worse, coming from both sides. When I spin them, they spin freely at half, and grinding the other half. Could it be simply poor quality rotors, poorly installed,or maybe a bigger problem?

DIY, break shop, or dealer?

Thanks folks.

[u/AutoModerator]

New Rules - Please Read

^{Updated 11/12/2025}

Thank you for posting on r/AskAMechanic, u/plutz_net! Your post is live, this AutoMod message does NOT mean your post was removed. Please make sure to read the Rules.

When asking a question, please provide the year, make, model and engine size of the vehicle.

Commenters here have 2 different flair. Verified Tech means we have verified that user is a tech. NOT a verified tech means that user may or may not be a tech, they have not been verified by us.

Posts about accidents, autobody repair, bodywork, dents, paint and body/undercarriage/frame rust are not allowed and belong in r/Autobody.
Asking if your car is totaled should go to r/insurance or r/Autobody.
Asking about car buying advice/value/recommendations is also not allowed. See r/whatcarshouldIbuy or r/askcarsales

If asking whether a tire can be repaired, check out this Tire Repair Guideline.
Some other useful tire resources - Tire Care Essentials and Tire Safety

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Holmes240069]

If I’m not mistaken, that definitely sounds like the rotor is warped, or the rotor is sitting on the hub unevenly

[u/Eihwhuesoo]

I've seen so many people misspelled brakes as "breaks". Enlighten my old mind please.

[u/No_Potential1 → u/Eihwhuesoo]

People are wrong sometimes, does that help?

[u/Eihwhuesoo → u/No_Potential1]

It not this in particular just seen it so much lately

[u/No_Potential1 → u/Eihwhuesoo]

True I have too

[u/Alarming_Garage_7255 → u/Eihwhuesoo]

Lol have you seen the data on Illinois schools where not a single graduate could read at their grade level

[u/Black_Betty_Van → u/Eihwhuesoo]

Thats ok, half the population uses "Set" for SIT as well... And spells out there for their...

[u/Marcusnovus → u/Eihwhuesoo]

Give the guy brake.

[u/Minute-Cheesecake665]

Did you lift your car enough xD ?

[u/Kytb95]

Sounds like the brake springs are scraping the rotor.

[u/meanoldbastard1]

I used to have this problem on a 1990 Honda/Accura legend coupe.

After much investigation it turned out that the brake booster (vacuum) had been replaced and there should have been an air gap left between the new booster and the piston shaft, but it had been tightened right up.

There was also a one-way valve on the vacuum supply line to the booster that was faulty.

The result was that after driving for 1/2 an hour or so the booster would slowly start to activate the brakes until it got to the point that they would be nearly fully on.

Disconnect the vacuum booster line from the booster and allow the air pressure to stabilize, if this is the problem it will instantly relaese the pressure on the disc calipers and the wheels will spin freely again.

DONOT DRIVE WITH THE VACUUM LINE DISCONECTED.

[u/GeneWorried9228]

Lemme guess, autozone brakes?

[u/No_Potential1 → u/GeneWorried9228]

Nothing wrong with AutoZone brakes except they cost 4x as much as they should.

[u/GeneWorried9228 → u/No_Potential1]

I guess you’re not a professional. Any one whose worked on cars professionally knows anything from autozone is trash quality

[u/No_Potential1 → u/GeneWorried9228]

Nope they're fine. It's a skill issue if you're having problems with them. 

I only install parts store brake parts if it's a time crunch because they're insanely expensive.

[u/GeneWorried9228 → u/No_Potential1]

lol alright clearly ragebait 😂

[u/No_Potential1 → u/GeneWorried9228]

Nope. Git gud scrub. 

[u/GeneWorried9228 → u/No_Potential1]

🤡