Front Brakes Dragging, wheels don't spin free Options

[7TPorsh]

Tried looking in search...

I changed out the following;
- Front brake rotors
- Front bearings and seals
- Front pads

I tried to push back the piston enough to get the pads in...ending up tapping them in but not too much effort. I noticed that it was tight. Thinking it will loosen up, i finished the job.

I get the car on the ground and out on the road a little and realize that the car just doesn't roll...i am working against the brakes. Brakes didn't 'adjust" and are still really tight. Lock nut is not overly tightened.

[914rrr]

Resurrecting an older thread that eliminates some issues I've already (mostly) addressed / ruled out.

I'm changing out my front brakes pads after bleeding them repeatedly for the rear caliper rebuild(s) I just completed. Both front discs are worn evenly and the front pads were very worn down. I was able to push back the caliper pistons but they required a good bit of coaxing to do so. I inserted the new pads and both discs were spinning freely until I applied the brakes. Now both front discs are stuck / calipers are definitely sticking.

IIRC, there was a mention in the Haynes manual about removing the pads and inserting a piece of wood thinner than the pad and pushing the pedal, manually pushing back the piston back, push pedal, push piston back, rinse, repeat, to free up the stubborn pistons. Is there a better / alternative method for freeing up the pistons?

I'm OOT for work now. I don't have the manual with me and I won't get home until midnight this PM, so anything to speed things up helps. I was planning on driving my teener to a VW show on Saturday and freeing up the caliper pistons is the last task (besides reinstalling the wheels) to get it trip worthy. TIA!!