For the last couple of months after driving my truck I notice a strong brake odor, this is with out any reel hard braking at all just normal driving. The truck has 33000 miles and the brake pads still look to have plenty of thickness, it does not pull to either side or have any other symptoms (although I have always been less than impressed with the brakes on this truck) they just smell bad and are getting worse. My truck is a 99 F150 4X4 with the four wheel disk brakes.

Anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this?, I'll probably take it to the dealer in the next couple of weeks, as the waranty runs out 1/21/02.

Thanks
DAW.

 

have someone look at it. Sounds like a sticking caliper there possibly. You could also be burning up the bearings in the front wheels also. Check for an fluid leaks in the motor getting to the exhaust system.

 

Thanks for the reply Matt90GT, I sure hope it's not anything that serious, after driving the truck when it's putting out this smell I've put my hand on the front wheels to see if there hot and it's always seemed fine, also I've looked for leaks and couldn't see any. If the calipers are sticking shouldn't it pull to that side?

DAW

 

Mine developed a rear axle seal leak -- with telltale smell. You can easily diagnose by looking for oil slung all over the tire.

You may also have a drum brake hanging up in your rear (you do know that the disk brakes have a drum parking brake, right?).