I'd just finished putting a new set of spark plug wires on my IROC, and now that the engine could run without missing I decided to head to the grocery store to pick up some stuff, and to make sure that the rest of the car's systems are in working order.
So I start going down the street, and I notice that the car is slowing down far too fast when I let off the gas pedal. Shortly afterwards, I start smelling the distinctive smell of metal getting very, very hot.
I go about a block and quickly pull around and head back home, wondering exactly what the dickens was happening. So I pull into the driveway quickly (the smell is getting much stronger now and I don't want to have my car burn up on me), get out, and quickly look around the car. On the rear passenger wheel, I notice a nice, orange glow coming from behind the wheel... SH*T, FIRE, I think, and I dash for the garden hose (which was fortunately lying in the driveway already, but the water wasn't on). I get that on, grab the hose and run and start blasting water on the rear wheel from every angle I can. A nice big cloud of steam comes up.
Well, anyway, to make it short I got the rear brake cooled down so it wouldn't torch the rest of the car off. I think that what happened was one of the rear disc calipers seized up (I'd been hearing a bizarre noise when I slowed down but thought it was in the drivetrain) and the increased friction caused it to catch something on fire.
So... yeah, that was a darn close one. Sheesh. Now I have to do a full brake job on the car for sure... just more work piling up.
I never use the parking break because I had serious uneven wear on the shoes from the parking break dragging. It's a very sloppy mechanical device, you might find that is your culprit.
I never use the parking break because I had serious uneven wear on the shoes from the parking break dragging. It's a very sloppy mechanical device, you might find that is your culprit.
Good luck!
Does your car have rear drums or discs? I'm trying to find out what's stock on these things. Mine has rear discs.
sounds like you had a caliper seizing up on you and you better replace it and the rotor since its probably warped from the heating and cooling .......good luck
__________________ •"I work on my chevy because I want to ..I work on your ford because you pay me too"------THEGENERAL
•"If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?"-------George Carlin
•There's a place for all of gods creatures .....right next to the Potatoes & Gravy!
•R.I.P. Johnny Carson, 1925 - 2005 You will be missed.......
•"Never argue with an idiot, they'll just bring you down to their level and beat you with experience".....METALICAMARORS
You can get the calipers at any Auto Zone for a decent price, less than $50 for both the fronts, with yours as cores of course. Something to consider since it's cheaper than an upgrade.
Originally posted by TA I never use the parking break because I had serious uneven wear on the shoes from the parking break dragging. It's a very sloppy mechanical device, you might find that is your culprit.
Good luck!
Except that you NEED to use the parking brake on the cars to help keep the rear calipers functioning correctly and to keep them adjusted.
Never using the parking brake could render the rear calipers useless.
Originally posted by BretD 88GTA Except that you NEED to use the parking brake on the cars to help keep the rear calipers functioning correctly and to keep them adjusted.
Never using the parking brake could render the rear calipers useless.
My father (he's been working on cars since the 1950s) remarked that if the parking brake is responsible, then a return spring or something is likely hanging up and the problem needs to be solved by greasing the cable or something similar.
And there's no way I want to put a lot of strain on my transmission by not using the parking brake. I've seen too many cars just roll away because their owners were too dumb and/or lazy to engage the parking brake.
This is the rear breaks 
