Hi all. I've got a 1998 Explorer 4x4 that has been getting horrible gas mileage lately(<10 mpg). I recently replaced all of the brakes myself and thought it was pretty straightforward. I'm not having any issues with the brakes per-se, but I'm concerned about the bad gas mileage I've been getting. I jacked the front end up and put it in neutral and tried to spin the wheels. I'm pretty sure that even though it's a 4WD, the wheels should spin freely in neutral, but they don't. It takes some effort to get them to spin and then they stop immediately. I'm thinking the brakes must be dragging or something. Is there a way to tell if it's the brakes or the transmission? Or does this sound like a brake problem? When I did the brakes, I didn't bleed the lines or anything because I never disconnected the brake lines or anything, so I don't think any air could have gotten in there. Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

 

sounds like you might have brake hoses that are blocked, siezed calipers, or siezed caliper guides,
easiest way to tell if it is brake related is to crack open the beader screw and if the wheel turns freely after you do this then it is obviosly a hydralic concern-probbably hoses-possibly calipers, first i'd check the caliper slides-the things the caliper bolts go into-and make sure they slide in and out easily