i just did my drivers side front hub and there seems to be alot of resistance rotating the rotor. i'm used to 2wd cars that spin fairly freely (maybe a full rotation to a turn and a quarter) so i'm assuming that i'm spiining the axle assembly. i do see the half shaft rotating, but how much should the rotor spin when the truck is jacked up? i get zero now and expected maybe a half rotation of the rotor. the rear seems to be the same as well with the shoes properly adjusted. any advice or opinions appreciated.

 

Was the truck in 4WD... ?

Remember you have hubs that are locked in all the time, so you will be spinning more than just a tire.
Also friction from the caliper will slow things down some too.

 

2004 has "Live axles" so you are also turning differential, same with rear wheels.

Just do a roll test on flat ground, you can usually feel resistance better when rolling, also have windows down and radio off, lol, listen for any noises

 

the truck was not in 4wd. i didn't know it was a live axle either. the truck does seem to slow down when going down hill, but i don't hear any noises. i'll just mark it up to the live axles, that explains the low fuel mileage too.

 

No, live axle wouldn't explain low MPG.

Front hubs in locked position or live axle setup only costs .5MPG, and it is usually less than that.

If you slow down, even on a slight down hill grade, then something is wrong and that would explain low MPG.

If you can have both front wheels off the ground at the same time I would see if you can feel any drag.
Same with rear wheels, both off the ground and spin them.

 

ah, thanks. i checked the rear brakes and found the cable for the adjuster had popped off the round thing, and the adjuster was locked up. got a rebuild kit for both sided and it made a huge difference. i gain speed going down hill now. thanks for the advice. i'll jack up the front over the weekend and see if i feel any binding.

 

Good work

Thanks for the update

 

ok the front with the front wheels both off the ground the wheels spin, but i wouldn't say freely. i don't feel or hear binding but did see the pass. inner axle boot has a tear. if i'm lucky, i'd say i get maybe an eighth of a turn before the wheel stops after i give the wheels a full spin. is that normal? i checked both calipers and lubbed the sliders, the pads move freely in the springs. also i just changer the drivers side hub and have zero movement on the passenger side hub/bearing.

 

my 1989 4X4 same way - with hubs on free, barely turn the wheel ZERO spin when you let go
freaks me out, but I can't find anything wrong (other then that horror)