Hello,

Had a really weird problem happen yesterday. Noticed that I was having to really push the gas to get the truck to move. Came to a stop and saw both rear tires smoking. Pulled off to the side, jumped out and saw the brakes/rotors smoking pretty bad along with a burning smell. I replaced the rear pads about 6 months ago. Had the same smell happen a couple weeks after replacing the pads but then it went away. Anyone have a clue why the rear seized the way it did? My dad took off the E brake years ago due to it rusting. Any help is appreciated!

Edit: FIXED

Issue was the master cylinder going bad. Brake would slowly go to the floor and I believe that caused the rear brake lines to keep the pads engaged. Replaced the master cylinder and flushed all 4 lines and no more issues. Sorry for bumping this thread. Just wanted to help anyone that may have the same issue.

 

Rubber brake lines may have collapsed. Are you sure there aren't any shoes in the E-brake drums?

Please post more truck details.

You probably now need all new rear brake components.

 

Probably need new tires too.

 

It's a Lariat 4x4 with the 5.4L Triton. Hadn't thought of the rear brake lines collapsing. Yeah I'm already pricing out new rotors, pads, and calipers. Guess I should look at lines too. I'm not 100% sure other than what my Dad told me. I'll look at some videos of the E brake installed in the truck but from what he told me he said he removed it.

 

Tires are fine. I misspoke. The smoking was coming from the calipers/rotors actually.

 

What condition were the calipers in when you changed the pads ? Maybe bad pistons, maybe bad pins/grease, or like mentioned, the hoses. No way to tell without an inspection. Maybe post some pictures.

 

A couple of years ago, my brakes started locking up in the summer. After a few minutes, they would release and be fine. Turned out to be moisture in the brake fluid. When braking, the moisture would boil, pressurizing the brake system. Once cool enough, the vapor returned to fluid and released. Per the mechanic, the phenolic pistons will let moisture migrate into the brake fluid.

A fluid purge and piston replacement fixed it.

 

I'll also point out that I learned the hard way last year by accident with slide pins. I've done tons of brake jobs, but I was rushing to get my brakes done, and I accidentally used metal-metal grease instead of silicone grease on the slide pins. All was fine till a few months out when I noticed my calipers sticking. As soon as I pulled a pin, I was like... I'm such an idiot. Really easy mistake to make when you have a bunch of different types of lubes in the shop. What happened was the petroleum based green lube I used expanded the rubber slide pin bushings causing stuck slides. I washed it out with copious amounts of brake cleaner and cotton swabs. Along with new bushings and the proper silicone brake grease.