Need some help please: I am working on the front brakes on a 1974 F100 2wd and replaced the calipers. the calipers were frozen to the mounting, no surprise given the age. Before putting on the new calipers I cleaned the machine surfaces on the mounting area as well as the retainer. I thought this was why the old calipers were frozen and would not self center.
I then lubricated all machine surfaces as well as the retainer and spring and then drove them in to place with considerable effort. The end result after getting it truck back together and testing it was that the pads were dragging very noticeably after applying the brakes. So I am wondering as to why the calipers are not "floating". Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

The reason is right here: "then drove them in to place with considerable effort"
You have something incorrect or damaged or both.
The caliper should take no more then a few light taps with a soft face hammer.

Take it apart and figure out what is wrong.

 

These calipers do not "float" i.e. they don't return on their own. There will always be a little drag. The question is how hard is it to turn the wheel?