Intermittent problem with pass rear wheel, is it brakes?

[shades9323]

Sometimes when I get home from work I notice a putrid smell coming from my 06 xlt. There is incredible heat coming from my passenger rear wheel when I notice this smell. It is not a constant problem. It probably does it every few days or so. Is it a caliper seizing?

 

[Mlarv5]

Sometimes when I get home from work I notice a putrid smell coming from my 06 xlt. There is incredible heat coming from my passenger rear wheel when I notice this smell. It is not a constant problem. It probably does it every few days or so. Is it a caliper seizing?

Well it could be a caliper, but look at the E brake first. Do you use the E brake often? Jack up the back put chocks under the front tires and put it in natural. Spin the tires and see if you hear a scraping sound, if you do pull the wheel and check the rotor if it is good then check the E brake it is a drum brake inside the rotor. I have had a few of these seaze up over the years. Good Luck

 

[shades9323]

I have had the truck only a few months and haven't used the e break at all. Could it still somehow sieze? I took it to a shop and they said the caliper is stuck and it is toast. They recommend replacing both back calipers. That didn't make sense to me. Is this customary? I don't necessarily trust these brake places. How can I tell if my rotors/pads need to be replaced?

Thanks

 

[Mlarv5]

I have had the truck only a few months and haven't used the e break at all. Could it still somehow sieze? I took it to a shop and they said the caliper is stuck and it is toast. They recommend replacing both back calipers. That didn't make sense to me. Is this customary? I don't necessarily trust these brake places. How can I tell if my rotors/pads need to be replaced?

Thanks

There are a few different ways to check these calipers. What I would recommand is you take it to another place maybe the dealer you bought it from, or someplace like a NAPA authorised dealer and have them test them. Get another opion. If you want to try this yourself chock the front tires and jack up the back of the truck both tires off the ground. Spin the tires and see how well they turn they should spin pretty free. Have someone apply the brakes and make sure the tire stops spiinning. Let go of the brake and spin the tire again it should spin just as easy. Look at the disk and see if it has heavy groves in it and check the pads and see how worn down they are. They really are not hard to replace with simple hand tools if you want to give it a try.