Brakes Smell Burnt Out

JDT · Apr 23, 2010

Today as I was driving, I opened the windows at a traffic light and smelled a burning smell. Then when I parked the car I checked the brakes and they smelled like they've taken access heat. I drive a manual 5-speed, a couple of my friends said they burnt out because I didn't leave the E-brake on when we were in the traffic jam (took about 7-12 minutes). Anyways, I am replacing the discs and am just curious if anybody can have a REAL explanation to this?

SrKegler · Apr 23, 2010

Maybe you left the E-brake on? Doubtful since my pulls the engine down bad. Sounds more like the clutch burning to me.

dsmspickdad · Apr 23, 2010

With disc brakes, make sure that your calipers are moving freely with pads removed? DSM have floating calipers.

juzslidin · Apr 23, 2010

+1 on check that the calipers arent seized up . also its a long shot but ive seen on bikes if u over fill the res , when the fluid heats up and expands it will hold the brakes slightly on .

myaceofdiamonds · Apr 23, 2010

SrKegler said:
Maybe you left the E-brake on? Doubtful since my pulls the engine down bad. Sounds more like the clutch burning to me.

I agree. its a strong possibility the clutch is to blame. a lot of times you will notice the brakes holding and could even pull in one direction.

Neezer · Apr 24, 2010

I would say brakes. My Dakota was making a FUNKY smell and I pulled over into a Fleet Farm parking lot, near their garage. I had a mechanic friend working at the time and he said it was the brakes so I got it checked out and the driver-side caliper seized up so I had to get them replaced. Luckily my pads were still great so they put new (rebuilt) calipers on both sides and did a resurfacing. A little over $300 for parts/labor.

91awdtalon91 · Apr 24, 2010

Your calipers can be frozen/seized. The rears happened to me on my car. Even with the E-brake down they can still be stuck on and you wouldn't know.

400hp93talon · Apr 24, 2010

+1 this happened to me before!

The Top DSM Community on the Web

Brakes Smell Burnt Out

JDT

SrKegler

dsmspickdad

juzslidin

myaceofdiamonds

Neezer

91awdtalon91

400hp93talon

Similar threads

Latest posts

Build Thread Updates

Vendor Updates

Latest Classifieds