Overheating brakes Had back brake pads replaced. Shortly afterward the right brake overheated and started smoking. Now the left rear brake started overheating and smoking. Were brakes incorrectly installed??

SOURCE: 1994 Dodge Caravan rear brakes won't wear out.

Yes, this is very normal. You'll replace the front 3 times before you'll have to replace the rears. The reason for this is because 80% of your braking is in the front. There is nothing wrong with your brake system.

SOURCE: Rear brakes overheating

Just a backyard mechanic myself, so we both know that the calipers float around on the bolts that hold them on. I know if the bolts dont slide in easyley they should be cleaned up with fine grit sand paper and a thin film of grease on them. Pry your shoes back and see if your caliper slides back and forth easyley. The calipers have to slide back and forth (float) or the pads will get hot and wear out prematurely. Let me know how this turns out.

SOURCE: rear brake to remove replace disk and service due binding

Preliminaries Do 1 wheel at a time Use a jackstand on the wheel you are working on (safety First) Remove the tire on the selected wheel
The Brake caliper is usually held on by 2 bolts. Some of the bolts are Allen wrench type, usually about ¼ inch or 5/16 inch. Remove and the complete brake caliper can be lifted off the rotor. The pads can now be removed. Before installing the new pads you must first return the pad piston to their original position in the caliper. Open the hood of the engine compartment and remove the cover on the master cylinder. This allow the brake fluid to be returned to the master cylinder. To return the pad piston to the original position you will need a C clamp and a flat piece of metal like a small flat file. Put the flat piece of metal on the piston and use the C clamp to put pressure on the piston. Tighten the C clamp slowly and you will see the piston slowly retract into the caliper body. Now you can insert the new pads into the caliper. Mount the caliper over the rotor and reinstall the 2 bolts.

Loringh Hope this helps Good Luck PS Please leave a rating if Appropriate Thanks

Mike Butler

• 6674 Answers
• Posted on Jan 18, 2009

SOURCE: 2000 chevy 1500 silverado- rear brakes overheating

Have someone push & release pedal while at wheel with problem. See if it takes a while or slow to release. If yes, have wrench ready on bleeder screw, and try again, if it sticks/holds, crack bleeder screw, if it releases, I'd replace hose.

SOURCE: Front brakes not releasing properly.

Sounds like the caliper needs replaced. Sometimes the pistons lock in the caliper and cause the brakes to drag. When the mechanic changed the brakes before, he pushed the pistons in all the way to accomodate the new brake pads. Now that they are wearing back down, it is getting to the warped spot in the caliper and starting to stick.