Burning Brakes Smell Has Me Stumped
08-06-2023, 06:02 PM
#1
Burning Brakes Smell Has Me Stumped
I have a 2002 F-150 extended cab with an 8' bed and about 118,000 miles on it. I'm the original owner and it was purchased new at a dealership in VA. The vehicle isn't driven regularly. I have done all of my own maintenance and repairs for the most part. I'm a backyard mechanic out of necessity, not the desire to work on cars. The truck has needed relatively few repair needs in the 20+ years that I have owned it. Now that you have the background info, here's my problem.
A few weeks ago we made the monthly trip down to Costco in Wilmington, NC. It's about a 2 hour drive one way. We did the usual shopping, loaded the coolers with 500 lbs of food and ice packs, grabbed lunch, and drove back. There were no issues, that I noticed, during the drive either way. When we got home I noticed a strong smell of burning brakes. It seemed to be coming from one of the rear wheels (I can't remember which one) and I felt what seemed like extra heat coming off of the wheel. But there was definitely the smell of burning brakes. I remembered that smell from when I had a caliper lock up on another vehicle some years back. I finally got a chance to take a look at the brakes today and found nothing out of the ordinary!!! The rotors were worn evenly without any deep grooves (about 0.5600 thickness, according to the digital caliper). The brake pads have LOTS of life left (Go Bendix!). I couldn't find anything that looked out of the ordinary. To add to my confusion, I drove the truck again yesterday to pick up a used wood lathe mounted on a heavy bench, along with a bunch of cutting knives. The drive was 1 hr. 20 mins. round trip. When I got home I checked for the smell of burning brakes and/or heat off the wheels. Nothing!!!
Does anyone have any ideas what could be the issue?? I know I'm not crazy because I recognized the smell of the brakes from previous experience. What am I missing? Is there something else that causes a similar odor? Usually, when these kinds of issues come up, I buy some parts and start replacing things until the problem is solved (like I said, Backyard Mechanic!). Unfortunately, I don't have the money right now to do that with a brake system. Not to mention the fact that I hate working on cars and it's hot as mythical hell (no garage for me). All suggestions, insights, and prior experience will be greatly appreciated! Please share your thoughts! Thanks in advance.
A few weeks ago we made the monthly trip down to Costco in Wilmington, NC. It's about a 2 hour drive one way. We did the usual shopping, loaded the coolers with 500 lbs of food and ice packs, grabbed lunch, and drove back. There were no issues, that I noticed, during the drive either way. When we got home I noticed a strong smell of burning brakes. It seemed to be coming from one of the rear wheels (I can't remember which one) and I felt what seemed like extra heat coming off of the wheel. But there was definitely the smell of burning brakes. I remembered that smell from when I had a caliper lock up on another vehicle some years back. I finally got a chance to take a look at the brakes today and found nothing out of the ordinary!!! The rotors were worn evenly without any deep grooves (about 0.5600 thickness, according to the digital caliper). The brake pads have LOTS of life left (Go Bendix!). I couldn't find anything that looked out of the ordinary. To add to my confusion, I drove the truck again yesterday to pick up a used wood lathe mounted on a heavy bench, along with a bunch of cutting knives. The drive was 1 hr. 20 mins. round trip. When I got home I checked for the smell of burning brakes and/or heat off the wheels. Nothing!!!
Does anyone have any ideas what could be the issue?? I know I'm not crazy because I recognized the smell of the brakes from previous experience. What am I missing? Is there something else that causes a similar odor? Usually, when these kinds of issues come up, I buy some parts and start replacing things until the problem is solved (like I said, Backyard Mechanic!). Unfortunately, I don't have the money right now to do that with a brake system. Not to mention the fact that I hate working on cars and it's hot as mythical hell (no garage for me). All suggestions, insights, and prior experience will be greatly appreciated! Please share your thoughts! Thanks in advance.
08-06-2023, 08:34 PM
#2
Senior Member
Did you pull the rotors and look at the e/brake shoes inside? That is where I would look now.
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Blondie70 (08-07-2023)
08-06-2023, 11:39 PM
#3
I didn't think to check that. I forget that this vehicle has those weird caliper/brake drum rotor things. If it turns out to be the inside shoes, is there anything else I should replace while I'm at it, in addition to the brake shoes?