Front Wheel smoking

[rog2867]

I just stopped at at traffic light and smoke was rising up from the front right tire.. When I got home I looked at it, couldn't see anything obvious but the smoke was definately coming from the wheel and it smelled like burning. Any ideas what it could be? roger

[alloro]

Assuming it wasn't steam from driving through a puddle...the caliper could be frozen and not releasing pressure on the brake pads.

[bnovak]

X2 on the brake caliper being frozen. Although, you may find that it's the opposite side that's actually frozen up. This will cause the working side to work that much harder, and overheat.

Check them both and let us know.

[broncoholic]

If you have a frozen caliper, the truck should be pull towards the smoking wheel. If it pulls while driving, then the smoking wheel caliper is stuck in the braking position. If it pulls while braking, then the opposite caliper is stuck in the non-braking position and the smoking wheel caliper is being overworker and overheating. If it's not a caliper, look for a bad hub seal puking grease that's burning off.

[rog2867]

thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking something along those lines also. I also noticed that the breaks were not very responsive as they usually are. I had to push the pedal to the floor which never happens.

[rog2867]

so it is the caliper stuck. The hydrolic line is gone, the rotor is no good and the pads are gone. Mechanic is trying to look for the hydrolic line now, seems its only available from ford and no one has it and everyone is closed for the holiday weekend. Might have to wait till Monday. Looking like 500 to fix plus tax.

roger

[bnovak]

Go to autozone. They've got the hoses ($15) rotor ($35) calipers ($65) and pads are about $30.

Other than bleeding the brakes, the job is pretty straightforward.