HI guys-I'm not new to the forum, but had to re-register since I had changed emails since my last use of the forum. I know you guys are the experts, and I need a little help troubleshooting a rear brake problem. I recently replaced my rear calipers on my my '01 Tahoe. I had replaced the pads a few month earlier, and they were still in good shape, as well as the rotors. I had a seized up bleeder screw, and since the calipers were really old and crusty (125K miles, and I think they were the originals...) I just replaced them to save some hassle. Yesterday, I was driving down a very steep mountain road here in Utah, and my rear brakes were smoking and I could feel a little bit of fade, but they were still working properly and safely. I also noticed that when bleeding the brakes after changing the calipers, that the right rear did not seem to bleed as easily as the left, but I still got the air out. Was it just some brake fluid and random mess burning off? Or was my caliper hanging up? I did some research, and I'm thinking maybe my brake hose is collapsing? ANy ideas? Thanks!
Rear brakes question-troubleshoot with me?
- Thread starter armiller
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Fosscore
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Had a similar problem with my left front wheel. Replaced pads and rotors all 4 corners 1 year ago.
Driving usual down road and the truck felt like the parking brake was on, no power, pulling to the right and then the smell. Got home and that brake set up and wheel were super hot. Cooled down and worked fine. Happened again so I took it to my mechanic.
Turns out the brake line as it feeds down to the caliper was collapsing or getting pinched somehow at that very point thus not allowing enough brake fluid to make it to the caliper.
He replaced both front brake lines and back in business again for me. May be worth a similar check. The brake line itself back there may be causing the caliper to hang up due to low flow of fluid or something with the caliper dragging in conjunction or by itself.
Hope that helps a bit. I'm sure some other guys will chime in too. Good luck. Keep us posted. Always good to see issues and results for everyone to learn from.
Driving usual down road and the truck felt like the parking brake was on, no power, pulling to the right and then the smell. Got home and that brake set up and wheel were super hot. Cooled down and worked fine. Happened again so I took it to my mechanic.
Turns out the brake line as it feeds down to the caliper was collapsing or getting pinched somehow at that very point thus not allowing enough brake fluid to make it to the caliper.
He replaced both front brake lines and back in business again for me. May be worth a similar check. The brake line itself back there may be causing the caliper to hang up due to low flow of fluid or something with the caliper dragging in conjunction or by itself.
Hope that helps a bit. I'm sure some other guys will chime in too. Good luck. Keep us posted. Always good to see issues and results for everyone to learn from.
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Thanks for the reply! My logic is that since the opposite side bled fine, that the problem must come after the ABS since the rears run split from a single line at that point, right? I guess I'll have a little project to do this weekend! And tonight I had some squealing from back there, so I'm thinking I glazed the pads up pretty good...should probably replace them while I'm at it.
SLCHOE
ASE Master Certified + (L1)
Did you bed the new pads?
New brakes will get hot and smoke at first. Nothing to be worried about if you take it out and proprly bed the pads.
Pad/slapping is only going to make more stench and smoke. If you do brakes, just replace the pads AND rotors.
New brakes will get hot and smoke at first. Nothing to be worried about if you take it out and proprly bed the pads.
Pad/slapping is only going to make more stench and smoke. If you do brakes, just replace the pads AND rotors.
