Smoking Brakes
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Smoking Brakes
Went for a drive the other day to test out the new Bosch3 fuel injectors I just installed. The car was driving much better with the new injectors.
Towards the end of the drive I started to notice smoke coming from the car when Id stop at a red light, I first thought it was something to do with the new injectors, and the car being badly tuned, and was coming from the exhaust.
Drove home slowly, and when got home tried to figure out what was happening, and found smoke still coming from the front left brake.
First thoughts were either, the brakes were sticking, or there was an oil leak. I took apart the calliper and did not find a problem, though the calliper is quite dirty.
Brake is still smoking after I drive it. Any suggestions on what to do?
Towards the end of the drive I started to notice smoke coming from the car when Id stop at a red light, I first thought it was something to do with the new injectors, and the car being badly tuned, and was coming from the exhaust.
Drove home slowly, and when got home tried to figure out what was happening, and found smoke still coming from the front left brake.
First thoughts were either, the brakes were sticking, or there was an oil leak. I took apart the calliper and did not find a problem, though the calliper is quite dirty.
Brake is still smoking after I drive it. Any suggestions on what to do?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,700
Likes: 3,469
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Do you have the factory rubber hoses on it still? The rubber deteriorates over time the inside of the hose will collapse and act like a check valve. It will let fluid into the caliper to close it but it wont let the fluid out and the caliper stays clamped on the rotor. I had this happen on more than one car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,553
Likes: 3
I'm so sorry about this, but the title of the thread makes it so I just can't resist.
If your front brakes are smoking, you could try the "patch" available at any Walgreens store. I know it'll be hard, but the patch comes with a support number for additional help.
Any respect I had was just blown with this post.
Sorry, Thursady am and way too much coffee..
If your front brakes are smoking, you could try the "patch" available at any Walgreens store. I know it'll be hard, but the patch comes with a support number for additional help.
Any respect I had was just blown with this post.
Sorry, Thursady am and way too much coffee..
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thanks for the help. You're right the hoses seem like the originals. Not much has been changed on this car.
Will add it to the list of things to buy for the upcoming rebuild. Gonna start tearing it down in a few days.
Will add it to the list of things to buy for the upcoming rebuild. Gonna start tearing it down in a few days.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 50
From: Palmdale CA
When you say "took apart the caliper" are refiring to removing the piston, and cleaning the caliper bore really good, and then replacing the caliper O-ring.
Or just cleaning the exterior of a really dirty Caliper...
Or just cleaning the exterior of a really dirty Caliper...
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: North Bay Ontario
Do you have the factory rubber hoses on it still? The rubber deteriorates over time the inside of the hose will collapse and act like a check valve. It will let fluid into the caliper to close it but it wont let the fluid out and the caliper stays clamped on the rotor. I had this happen on more than one car.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Coudl also be a bad caliper thats not releasing all the way. Used to have a javelin SST that, if you used any more than moderate brake pressre they fronts would lock up. Kinda funny watching it go down the street, rear tires smoking and front tires skidding, with a 401 is was the burnout king 
Nothing like a $400 pos you dont care about.
Nothing like a $400 pos you dont care about.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
As im tearing the car down soon, and want to rebuild whole car to good health again, I will be rebuilding or replacing all the callipers based on my budget. So will be getting everything sorted soon im hope
