What is the likely cause of dragging rear brakes after new linings are installed?

Dragging rear brakes after new linings are installed often indicates an issue with the parking brake system. If the parking brake cable is stuck or not releasing properly, it can prevent the brake shoes from fully retracting after the brakes are applied. This leads to constant contact between the brake shoes and the drum, resulting in dragging brakes.

When the parking brake is engaged, the shoes are forced against the drum, and if the cable does not return to its released position as it should, the shoes remain partially engaged with the drum during normal driving conditions. This could cause unusual wear on the linings and drums, increased heat generation, and reduced braking performance.

The other choices do not directly relate to the common causes of dragging brakes resulting from the installation of new linings. For example, brake fluid contamination typically affects brake performance but does not directly cause the linings to drag. Incorrect drum sizing or shoe orientation could lead to various braking issues, but they are less likely to cause ongoing drag after new linings are installed compared to a stuck parking brake cable.