Brakes Smoking?

[mllc]

Hey Guys,

I was out driving this evening, my truck was behaving oddly, but I didn't really give it a second thought, it was hot and real humid, and I know sometimes it can lag down when the air is thick. I stopped at a truck stop to get something to drink, and when I got out I saw my left rear wheel well was billowing smoke. I looked at it and the caliper and rotor were glowing bright red. I immediatly called OnStar and had a tow truck dispatched, as the truck continued to smoke for another 15 mins. I had it dropped off at my local dealer who isn't open till monday. I'm thinking it's going to need at the minimum, new caliper, new rotor, new pads, probably new rubber lines. it could verry well need a new tire and rim as they got torched. Anything else that I'm missing that could need to be done? and what the heck could casue this? I just had the rear brakes done not 6 months ago to the tune of $650, so this angers me, but I suppose parts wear out.

[r1byker]

Sounds like a sticking caliper to me. The pads dragged on the rotor hard and long enough to create tons of heat turning everything red hot. Sure hope the damage is limited; sounds like they didn't rebuild the calipers on the brake job.

[TexasAl]

I agree. Stuck caliper. I hope you got the job done at a reputable shop, so they can cover the damages. At 650 for a brake job, yeah,m I'd be pissed too. Good luck, and let us know what happens.

[rockcrusherrevived]

emergency brake on ?

[r1byker]

emergency brake on ?

 

Good thought. I would think both wheels would be smoking if the parking brake were engaged. Also, the times I've seen the parking brake left on, the pad material wears down fairly quickly. The result is a lot of smoke but not enough heat to keep it billowing smoke for fifteen minutes.

[Silverado4x4]

Wheel bearings are most likely toast also, all that heat had to fry the grease right out of them.

[rockcrusherrevived]

emergency brake on ?

 

Good thought. I would think both wheels would be smoking if the parking brake were engaged. Also, the times I've seen the parking brake left on, the pad material wears down fairly quickly. The result is a lot of smoke but not enough heat to keep it billowing smoke for fifteen minutes.

 

if the emergency brake was not used vey much then applied and then released the cable on the left(or right) wheel could be seized on and yes a stuck brake can cause a lot of heat

[Kodiak450]

I had to have a caliper replaced a couple months ago, it stuck in the open position and PSR pad wore out really fast cause it was doing all the braking. Warranty covered the new caliper (which I knew last year was sticking at the time) but wasn't when it was inspected. Either way it is free for me. Your wheel most likely will be fine, they'll probbaly reaplce the rotor, pad and caliper to start. Just so you know, GM doesn't use a very good disc rotor. I've seen them develope rust in the center and rot within 3-4 years after a vehicle was purchased brand new. If I were you, I would use a better rotor like EBC which also cost less then GM's rotor which is $250 a rotor. I got a set of EBC slotted rotors with HD pads for under $500. Thats half the price of GM's rotors and a hell of alot better quality and stopping power has am improved feel to it that I've noticed. I inspect the rotors every few months or less and after having them on for over a year they still look almost new with no rust in the center of the discs like the ones GM uses.

[mllc]

I went and looked at it today in the day light at the dealer parking lot, and the tire is toast, so I'm guessing the wheel is probably bent as well. The e-brake is still working fine and I use it every time I put the jet ski in the water which is every couple days during the summer. can't wait to see what they want to charge me.