How would brake pad retainers...

[Two Fowty]

..cause crazy brake drag. I just have horrible luck with brakes and dragging from the beginning. Got gold series brake pads at autozone, and new pad retainers. After installation, ungodly dragging. Bleh, hate it. Take retainers out, dragging is gone.

So yea, problem solved. But how does having the retainers in cause such serious brake drag. I dont get it. This is more of an insight question, cause I cant find the answer I want. I'm just wondering for future reference.

Also, I've read that retainers aren't neccessary, so this works out for me, but.. my pads have a bit of moving room where I can scoot them a very tiny bit in either direction, is that okay?

Also, on my passenger rear brake, i can move my caliper just slightly back and forth, how do I stop that? I can't do it on any of my other ones.

Thanks

[Shabbernigdo]

IMO keep the retainers in there there for a reason.

as for the caliper moving is it the whole unit itself or the piston?

[Two Fowty]

the whole unit, i can bring it towards me just slightly, and then push it back.