Ok so I need some serious help. I have a 2008 F250 which has been a awesome truck. Very few issues except for one that no one can seem to fix. Its regarding my brakes and a mysterious reason all of them have to a degree locked up and smoked the pads rotors etc. I now have 80k on the truck and have replaced all brakes once and now the front left have locked up for a second time. The scenario goes like this:

So i'm driving along and if the front brake locks up I can begin to smell it. So I pull over and smoke rolls out along with the overheating popping sound from the effected brake. Rear brakes usually are not found until I stop which i get out and then can smell them. Funny thing is the brakes have locked up when not towing. Also, I have never had more than one happen at a time. So as today all brake pads and rotors have been replaced and now the left front has overheated again. From what I can tell the caliper just doesn't fully release. Any idea what could be causing this?

 

My first was the passenger side rear. This is usually caused by dirty or corroded slide pins. That was my case.

 

Slide pins maybe worn, sticking or not lube when they were changed. I take it that you are not performing the repair yourself? Doubtful the person doing the job is paying attention to diagnosing the root cause.

It could also be the caliper pistons itself.

When this occurred what did each pad look like on that wheel? Were they wore down at the same rate? Something that right there is an indicator.

 

They dont lock up together only one a a time. Seems like I have one to lock up once per year. Not exactly but you get the picture. Its not a full lock but stays on the rotor enough to cause heat and sometimes warp the rotor. My truck sits alot so maybe the issue but why just this truck? Also, Ive had a couple different dealers look at it and they both say they have seen trucks have one do it but not systematic like mine.

 

I agree with the others. Sounds like the pads aren't allowed to release due to corrosion or lack of lubrication on the pad ends/pins.

Maybe you're one of those guys I seem to follow, who rides their brakes unconsciously?

 

No I only use 1 foot. LOL

 

I agree with the lubrication issue as that makes sense. Just can't understand how it can happen at all four corners with different people doing the work. This is like my 3rd truck and probably 15th or more vehicle and have never seen this before on one brake more or less all four plus a fifth time now.