Rear Brake Overheating on 2003 ST

[MrTeeThyme]

In April 2009, I noticed my rear left wheel smoking after a 1 1/2 hour drive. The entire wheel and rim was too hot to touch. I let it cool down, pulled the wheel, and couldn't find any problem. The pads were scorched so I replaced them. No problems since until the other day it happened again. I pulled up to a stoplight and could smell the brakes. A little further I saw smoke coming from the wheel. I had it towed home and pulled the wheel and couldn't find anything wrong.

Does anyone have an idea what might be happening here and what I should do?

Thanks.

 

[bdmaash]

is the park brake cable ok? (make sure the cable releases by the rear brake)

 

[dogfriend]

Sticking Caliper.

 

[MrTeeThyme]

I thought it might be the parking brake but it didn't look like excessive wear on the drum.

I'm thinking a sticking caliper also. What would cause it to stick? Should I just replace it and not worry about troubleshooting the cause? The truck has 186K on it.

 

[dogfriend]

The piston and/or the bore can get worn which allows the piston to **** sideways in the bore and stick. Also, check the slider pins because they can get corroded and stick. That causes the caliper to apply more pressure to one side and can also cause the pad to drag although it would be one side only. Your description of replacing burnt pads makes me think that the piston in the caliper is sticking.

At 186k, you should probably go ahead and replace the caliper(s).

 

[MrTeeThyme]

Thanks. The slider pins are ok. Are Cardone replacement calipers good? What is the preferred reman calipers?

 

[dogfriend]

I haven't had to replace mine yet.

 

[rloubier]

Am having a similar problem. After driving a short distance, both rear wheels are too hot to touch while the front wheels are cool to the touch. I had local Ford dealer check the vehicle and they could find nothing wrong. Since both wheels get equally hot, the parking brakes not disengaging fully was my suspect, but the dealer could not find any issue with the brakes. Am concerned about the integrity of the tires with repeated exposure to the heat. Vehicle drives fine and seems to stop normally. Vehicle only has 22K miles on it. The worn/sticking caliper theory is possible...but on such a low milage vehicle? I am the originall owner so its not an issue of bogus milage. Think I'll have another look at the parking brake system. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[dogfriend]

The only thing I can think of is a possible corrosion issue with the calipers - only 22k miles ,but the truck is ~ 8 years old.

 

[ncranchero]

(MrTeeThyme) I'd agree with the sticking caliper. A1 Cardone is a good quality rebuilt caliper. And with 186K while you're at it flush/change the fluid.

(rloubier)I've seen the inner lining of the flexible rear brake hose come apart and prevent the pressure on the rear brakes from being released. Have a look at this hose and see if it looks deteriorated at all. It's odd that both rear calipers would stick at the same time....