Passenger side front wheel suddenly smoking and stinky.

[Eddo Rogue]

Took my ranger out for a commute after its mainly been used on the property and liquor store runs.

On the way back I noticed the smell of brakes/clutch. Got home and smoke was coming out from the wheel well area. I took a good look underneath and its didnt seem like it was coming from the clutch.

The brakes were being weird, like pull to one side. I suspect a stuck caliper? But is it normal for a caliper to just suddenly fail like that?

Wondering if I am on the right track for diagnosis.

 

[RobbieD]

Yes; it sounds like a sticking caliper.

A '93 uses the floating caliper pins. You could try cleaning up and lubing the pins to get you by, but it could also be internal to the caliper.

It *may* be time for a brake job.

 

[Lefty]

I think so. It is possible, depending on the wheel in question and the direction of the pull, it could be a leaky brake line. I've never had a stuck caliper, but why not just pull the wheel in question and have a look/see?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Took my ranger out for a commute after its mainly been used on the property and liquor store runs.

On the way back I noticed the smell of brakes/clutch. Got home and smoke was coming out from the wheel well area. I took a good look underneath and its didnt seem like it was coming from the clutch.

The brakes were being weird, like pull to one side. I suspect a stuck caliper? But is it normal for a caliper to just suddenly fail like that?

Wondering if I am on the right track for diagnosis.

Stuck caliper. Mine did this exactly.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I think so. It is possible, depending on the wheel in question and the direction of the pull, it could be a leaky brake line. I've never had a stuck caliper, but why not just pull the wheel in question and have a look/see?

Yep I'm gonna....just figured I'd bug you guys about it first...for confirmation, and emotional support lol.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Yes; it sounds like a sticking caliper.

A '93 uses the floating caliper pins. You could try cleaning up and lubing the pins to get you by, but it could also be internal to the caliper.

It *may* be time for a brake job.

Oh yea I forgot about those...one might have popped out....Good call.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Do brakes get old? I know the pads are good but probably pretty old...I hardly ever drive it. Maybe around the property of my buddys house a mile down the road. I'd guess 1000 miles a year average these last 3 years.

 

[superj]

they might get old but, other than fluid, corrosion, and soft hoses going bad, the other parts are going to last. except of course the booster losing pressure or the master leaking internally but those i never count as its pretty rare.

 

[RobbieD]

Do brakes get old?

Everything gets old, and only rocks live forever.

Three things I know of will cause the front brakes to stick and drag: 1) the caliper is not sliding freely on the pins; 2) caliper internal corrosion is seizing the piston (caused by moisture in the fluid); and 3) a collapsed flex hose (fluid pressure from the master can get in the caliper, then it can't get out).

It's a love/hate thing; I hate doing brakes, but I love having good brakes after it's done.

Good luck!

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Do brakes get old? I know the pads are good but probably pretty old...I hardly ever drive it. Maybe around the property of my buddys house a mile down the road. I'd guess 1000 miles a year average these last 3 years.

Oh and be careful running it that way....mine got so hot it started boiling out wheel bearing grease and cooked the bearing

 

[RangerNumber3]

From experience the rotor is probably warped now. Replace along with the caliper.

 

[Terrys87]

An unusual problem I experienced but it effected both brakes was a bad Brake Booster would apply the brakes gradually without me touching the brake pedal. Took a while to find out what was the issue as I had never heard of such a thing.

If it is only one brake, most likely just the caliper sticking. As cheap as calipers are I would replace both calipers and pads. Check to see how your rotor is while you are in there.

Also your rubber lines can fail. Check those as well.

 

[superj]

i had that same odd ball booster issue a few years back. it would start out fine but as you drove, the brakes started applying them selves really slowly and soon you were stuck because it would lock the front brakes

 

[Eddo Rogue]

I replaced the booster not too long ago....I do have a seeping drum cylinder in the back driver side, but haven't gotten around to changing it because the brakes were working fine until this issue. It actually braked much better than it steered...probably the calipers.

It was pouring rain, but sunny again all week so hopefully I'll get a chance to pull the wheels

 

[rusty ol ranger]

i had that same odd ball booster issue a few years back. it would start out fine but as you drove, the brakes started applying them selves really slowly and soon you were stuck because it would lock the front brakes

Not if you have a 2.9