overheating front rotors?

[Nhaz]

Howdy peps.

A few weeks ago I replaced the stock front rotors and pads with stock rotors and pads.

Not a big deal really. I do Lots of in city driving with lots of stop and go. and there are times Im in a hurry. So, I brake late and harder. But not wacky late and not really that hard. no squealing.

I noticed that if I brake late and hard say 3 times over the course of less then a minute that the front rotors get hot enough to start a nice hot brake smell and in 1 case I started smoking the front right brake pad.

Am I running into a crappy design and should I be thinking about that brake upgrade I see at the top? The old ones I pulled off didn't do this. They were worn right out but they weren't in good shape when I bought the truck.

 

[swamprat]

are your rear brakes working? If not then it takes more to stop and could wear out your pads faster also. Just check conditon of your drums and shoes.

 

[pillen140]

did you bleed the brakes to make sure there is not too much pressure on the pads? if they are cheap pads, they usually stink, but shouldnt smoke. can you spin the front wheels easily when they are jacked up off the ground? is a caliper stuck?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

did you bleed the brakes to make sure there is not too much pressure on the pads?

Say what?

Disc brakes are self adjusting.

 

[Jon581]

sounds like 1 or both caliper's are not releasing when you let off the brakes

 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

lubricate and do a brake fluid flush on it. Also consider removing your splash shields off your front rotors. They hold in a bit of heat in my opinion.

 

[Nhaz]

the pads were of good quality. I only put crappy pads on hondas => the rear brakes I repaired a few months ago. So yes I know they work. And since I also know the adjusters work and I backup lots im pretty sure they are in adjustment.


The rails were gummed up when I started the brake job .. I polished them back up and put a some grease on the rails not lots just a small amount. I do not remember seeing a dust cover.

 

[pillen140]

Say what?

Disc brakes are self adjusting.

ive seen brake hoses act like check valves when they go bad.... if its not releasing pressure.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Every single RBV I've owned has had at least 1 caliper lock up on me while I was driving... My Explorer feels like it wants to do it sometimes also... I've bled them already and with new fluid too... I'm probably going to spend the $40 and replace both front calipers before they fail this time...

 

[cocoasranger]

It's fairly common for one or both of the calipers to seize up after new pads and rotors have been installed. When the caliper pistons are fully retracted to make room for the new pads, all the years of crud and corrosion jam up behind and around the caliper piston.

This is why brake shops strongly suggest replacing them when performing a brake job. To be fair they are also trying to maximize the sale, but that's another story.

I ran a brake shop and always replace my calipers after seeing the problems those that didn't had. Besides, Ranger calipers are not at all pricey.