cooked brakes???

[vette_7t9]

I've noticed a thing with the brakes on my caprice. After a drive, if i brake hard there would be a weird smell, like anti-seize kinda smell emitting from the car (supposedly from brakes). Then smoke will come out of the driver side fenderwell. Could the brakes be overheating? Could it be other damage?? I've noticed that the front wheel bearing on the driver side leaks out, like leaks at the area sticking through the wheel, and after the braking problem appears, the fluid bubbles like its sizzling and the wheel lugs are VERY VERY hot. Another thing I've noticed is that the brake pedal becomes mushy and requires mashing it all the way to the ground to brake the vehicle after the brake problem becomes apparent. What is this problem and what should i do? Thanks for any help and advice.

[PeteA216]

Well it sounds like you have a shot bearing, or you're brakes are rubbing. You lose breaking power beacuse the brakes are overheating. If it is you're brakes, then you'r caliper is probably shot, and now your rotor is too from the rubbing. Is the smell almost like a burning/hot circuit board smell? Odds are its you're brakes, but since its getting so hot, and you say the bearing leaks out, then you probably cooked the bearing too. Overall, you better fix it all ASAP.

[vette_7t9]

yea, its the circuit board kinda smell. i'll get to it ASAP, after i finish body work.

[vette_7t9]

also, the car wobbles when i brake. side to side. can this be related to the caliper piston??

[PeteA216]

Wobbles? It could be a warped rotor caused by the heat generated from your rubbing brakes.

[vette_7t9]

yea, and i can feel it get progressively worse!!! yikes.

[PeteA216]

Yeah, I'd stop driving the car until you fix it.

[bobss396]

You have either a stuck caliper or a blocked brake hose, more likely to be a caliper. The mushy pedal is from the brake fluid boiling in the caliper. You can get an exchange unit for less than $30, also repack the wheel bearing and have the rotor cut if it's badly discolored.

Bob

[vette_7t9]

i will check it out, there is also play on one of the front tires. Most likely will rebuild the front..

[kahjdh]

How much does it cost to get rotors turned or cut? Here there isnt very many shops that do that so we just buy new.

[bobss396]

You can also pick up very nice rotors at your local salvage yard for around $20-30. There is a huge interchange on them, so they're plentiful. I had picked up a "used" pair once that were obviously new and hadn't been on the car very long. Also grab the bearings that go with the rotor.

Bob

[vette_7t9]

thanks for the tips guys, i will check the bearing and brake unit soon, hopefully the weekend. I will look around, and choose the best option, because this is my grass roots car and i want the budget to stay under $2000...

[HockeyBH]

My car is also starting to wobble when i break, also i have noticed a lot of dark dust (break pad dust?) on the rims. Is this the same solution to my problem, also when i change the front drivers side turnsignal/driving light is it just the lights or the whole glass piece. Thanks

[kahjdh]

When the car wobbles it is prob the brakes and the turn signal has a removeable bulb but the headlights are sealed.

[1986Z28]

what year car hockey