1996 HX, new master cylinder 20,000 miles ago, new pads about 19,000 miles ago. 248,000 on the car. Brake feel is fine, car brakes fine, doesnt dive to one side or the other. It just has this faint metallic brake sound that goes away when I apply the brakes, and a noticeable burnt brake smell when I stop the car (can only smell from outside of car). The rotors are always hot to the touch when I stop, but never blue.

So I took a break from studying to at least pop my tire off and I stand corrected, my pads ARE dragging on the rotor (see pic below). At least thats the way it looks in the pic. And it sounds like it when I spin the wheel - there is a small amount of drag.

Both front pads are doing this. The thing is, I've had this sound and smell ever since I put these pads in, its just been subtle and I've been smelling a burning clutch so I havent noticed it. Now that everything else is fixed its more obvious now. AND these pads have about 19000 miles on them - and they still look pretty thick, despite dragging.

They are Performance Friction pads - I use them on my Jeep, and they work great. But they were really hard (read: quite a squeeze) to get them to fit into those brakes. I wonder if the pads are the wrong type. If I should just go back to OEM pads...No brake hoses look pinched either, master cylinder brake fluid is full and clear. And I still have to try to bleed each side, but I dont have time right now (I know it may only take 10 minutes but I cant take the chance of messing up my car right now) I've gotta get back to the books...

So some questions:

1. Pads or caliper, based on pic (if you can tell)? Maybe I messed up when I put in the pads?

2. If pads, anybody have some suggestions on other aftermarket pads, cheap but good that dont leave brake dust like OEM?

3. Can overtightening the lower caliper bolt make the pads rub as shown?

thanks sorry for the long post