QuestionThanks Ed,
I drove it tonight for about 12 miles and after I got back, I could smell them when I got down by the wheel, but they were not smoking very much. I have the parking brake shoes adjusted as loose as they will go so I guess I can't do much there. I torqued the caliper mounting bolts to what it says in the book. So does everything sound ok then, and it will just eventually stop smoking and smelling? Thanks again.
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Followup To
Question -
Hi Ed,
I have a 2000 Tahoe with disc brakes on all 4 wheels but with also shoes in the back for the parking brake. I just replaced the brake pads, rotors, and parking brake shoes on the rear. I did this because my parking brake wasn't holding and when taking it apart, one of the shoes was evenly worn a little bit, but the other shoe was was completely worn down on half of it. So I also replaced the pads while it was off because there was probably 25% or so. I loosened the adjuster on the parking brake shoe as loose as it would go, and I was able to slip the rotor over it. It was a little tight, but I didnt have to pound it on or anything. After I got the pads on too, I tried turning the wheels, and there was a little resistence, but I was able to turn them alright. It seemed fine. So after driving around the block a few times, they seemed to work ok, then I went on about a 5 mile trip. When I got there, both wheels were smoking. After a couple hours I made the return trip home, and when I got home they weren't smoking, but after paying close attention, it did feel like there was a little drag while I was driving (unless I was just paranoid and it was just in my mind!). Before I go taking it apart again, I just wanted to know if there is anything I could have done wrong. I dont know if it was the pads or the parking brake shoes that may have been the ones dragging. How can you tell if a caliper is sticking? Well, if you have any advice for me before I take it apart again I'd appreciate it. Or do you think I should just drive it around a little more to see if it smokes again? Thank you in advance.
Answer -
Dan
I have seen this with aftermarket brake pads,but you need to make sure the parking brake shoes are not adjusted to tight,there should be little if no resistance,also when the parking brake is engaged a couple of times the shoes will auto adjust,also make sure your caliper mounting bolts are tight,i put locktite threadlocker on the bolts.
If a caliper was stuck the rotors if overheated would turn blue in color.
ED
AnswerDan
If everything is free and not binding it sounds like the pads just heated and burned off the coatings,usually from sitting the new brake pads develope dust and oils,they usually smell a bit after replacement and tend to smoke the first time they get heated up,if all checks ok,then it would be ok and the smell and smoke should be gone,when we do a brake job we do what is known as burning/wearing in of the pads to rotor/drum,we do 5-8 panic stops at about 20-25 mph,this removes and grease/oils from the pad and seats them into the rotor.
ED
