Smoke? Hot Smell from Wheels? Check Your Brakes! Diagnosing Seized Brake Calipers

For More Info visit us at: 1aau.to/h/cKU/
Do you see smoke, smell a hot or burning smell coming from your wheels? Can you feel heat radiating off your brake rotors? The problem is likely a seized brake caliper! When brake calipers stick, or seize up, the brake pads remain in contact with the brake rotor while your drive, which creates lots of friction and head. It's basically like driving around with your foot on the brake pedal the whole time! In this video, hot smelly brakes lead Andy to diagnose the brake caliper, where he discovers rusted slider pins. The slider pins need to move in and out freely. If they get stuck, the brake caliper can remain clamped down on the brake rotor, which in turn heat up the brakes excessively. Andy points out the problem, shows you how you might be able to unstick and repair the rusted sliders, but ultimately replaces the caliper entirely, which is the safest option.
For more great diagnostic videos check out this playlist:
• Driveway Diagnostics!
0:00 Diagnosing a Seized Brake Caliper
3:45 Removing the Stuck Slider Pin
8:31 Clean the Caliper Slider Pin and Bracket
12:30 Or Replace the Caliper!
For More Info visit us at 1aau.to/h/cKU/
⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[@1AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

[@coburn_karma]

Very rare to see caliper repair these days with low priced new calipers on the market....thank you for taking the time to share.

[@Just_J_]

think u just saved my life, didn't know what was causing my brakes to overheat and smoke

[@TheKramer841]

Thank you. I'm trying to do a similar job and being refreshed on basics that work saved me a lot of time getting up and down and fighting stuck parts. I'm a forever injured guy. Again, thank you.

[@pareeks]

I'm just in awe of all the tools and machinery you have at your disposal. You have even got a gas torch of high grade! Marksmanship is on point as well❤

[@cardo1111]

Definitely one of the best auto repair channels on KZbin 🔧🧰👍🏽

[@yeagemk]

The bob ross of mechanics. Very relaxing to follow along with

[@michaelreeves8164]

Very professional. I was happy you didn't reuse the old caliper and pins. Thanks for the tips.

[@josephkasprzyk4758]

First off. That’s a very clean garage!!! Secondly. You were very helpful to me! Thanks

[@BMMPMI]

Thanks 1A! Hope you have a good day.

[@josedelossantos2428]

Love your video tips. very instructional informative and educational. Thank You !!!!!

[@mybrotherscout3661]

Thank you! Just so happens I will be working on my brakes today.

[@OSRS_KQs]

Just figured mine out. The caliper piston is the style that needs rotated to collapse it for new pads. However, there are 4 recesses on the face of the piston for rotating it, and the recess has to line up with a tab on the brake pad that the scratch warning plate sits on. It was causing uneven pressure on the pads so they seized pretty hard and got hot.

[@colorado1315]

Great advice and explanation, for the people who like to understand what is going on.

[@andygirke846]

Thanks Andy, Nice Demo.

[@richardyap7873]

You are a cool guy. Doing so much and yet keeping your composure. Liked.

[@flakociclon44]

Thanks for the video, keep having problem on my 99 GMC Yukon 2wd

[@Alesia2020]

This video was so awesome! Thank you for taking it step by step clearly. I now have a better understanding of what do in this situation.

[@1AAuto]

+@Alesia2020 Thank you! We love empowering our customers and showing how to perform DIY auto repairs with our high-quality auto parts. 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@charleschiu1383]

Excellence. Very instructional video.

[@dwightlee6164]

By the way.. you uploaded on the thanksgiving day. Working hard.. Thanks !

[@SusannahCrossman]

Thank you so much for your video - which I watched yesterday. My beloved car has a brake issue - I now think it's probably a seized caliper or the slider pins, BUT, may I ask ... the issue arose after a loud BANG which seemed to come from, I thought, offside front or offside underneath my car - the wheel/brake/caliper that's seized is the nearside rear! At first I thought maybe something had punctured a tyre but, after parking back up (had only travelled a few yards out of the parking area) and leaving my car for a while there were no issues with any of the tyres. Then my son and I thought maybe the handbrake cable had snapped but the handbrake still works - although floppy when first engaging it soon catches the ratchets as the lever rises and keeps car stable. My car seemed to drive normally when I took for a short test drive (half mile max, 20mph), although sounded as though brake pads were worn, BUT nearside rear brake disc (rotor) HOT, HOT, HOT!! After seeing your video I'm sure it's a seized caliper, but my question is ... have you ever known a loud BANG prior to caliper seizing? I wonder if something has snapped INSIDE the caliper and it now won't disengage - I wonder if that might be a possibility, would you know? Wheel/rotor movement, nearside rear, after my car has been parked a couple of days, is almost totally impossible now! About four hours prior to the loud BANG and issues arising, I'd been out on a twentyfive mile round trip and there didn't seem to be any problems! If you have any suggestions I really would be so grateful as we don't have any local garages who would be willing to take a look (my car is 2007 and local garages have 'decided' it's too old to bother with!! To me, of course, my beloved car is PRICELESS)! THANK YOU SO MUCH, in advance - and thank you, again, for your wonderfully informative video!

[@OmarSharif-js8tx]

I lived to way you explained everything excellent bro👍🏼

[@theodorerinehart781]

Excellent job

[@PRO4XKEV]

Great work.

[@linozamarripa1708]

nice video i have at 2005 gmc canyon my brakes where smokey get hot, buerned out the calipers boot, replaced calipers left and right front, new disck to and still getting hot any help, thanks

[@ibogasacramentaljames5190]

a question please.the transfer case of a 2008 rav4 have 2 key nuts. the bottom which is the drain and the next to it ontop the fill. what is the other nut ontop of it for?please help answer

[@cynthiapatterson9454]

Do you know what would cause the brake area to start smoking after I put on my factory donut? Drove 2 miles about 45mph. After I got the new tire on, it didn't have anymore issues. I've used this same donut before without issue.

[@extramail850]

Great video!

[@Coolcalbbws1]

I ❤this channel I watch all of them

[@AZHighlandHomestead]

Video really shows how valuable the cheap rebuilt calipers are for the money

[@normanmonyela4280]

Good morning my brother you are doing great job, but I have questions what course the front wheel to wobble when I'm driving?

[@user-dd3kj8ji3c]

Thank you so much for your help!!!👍👍

[@peaceblessingsall3889]

I got a question for you what if it is leaking brake fluid from the wheel and some how the brake pad came off do I change the the whole caliper bracket to

[@user-dv5ye9tb8t]

Wait. I should buy simikar burning device 😅.amazing job.thanks for sharing.

[@user-wm4bo4nj8l]

hello and hi could u please tell me what is the torque spec on all the bolts from caliper slier pins to the brackets bolts front and rear brakes on a honda hrv 2020 thanks

[@esperandieu12]

Thanks for hthe video.. After rewinding the rear caliper piston to install new break pad.... will it return to set place by itself?

[@timothymetzler7715]

Hello I see this is a liberty I have a 2004 and before we pull out of our parking spot if you turn the wheel there is a clunking or banging noise in the front end after driving a bit it stops making a noise . Any ideas ?

[@Naval-Gazing-Society]

thanks! very helpful!

[@danielguerra626]

Can you do a video on diagnosing inner tire wear on front tires?

[@trusso11783]

I changed my brakes and rotors last October. By Feb, my left rear brakes were down to metal. I looked at caliper but the guides moved fine. I even put more grease in to make sure. Now, I smell a string smell from that same brake. Could it be something else or does it sound like it could be the caliper.

[@apmorales7187]

Good job amigo 👍

[@junryanduqueza8521]

Sir. Can i ask if the caliper sliding pin has a different size?

[@taddeojudemugagga2306]

Great, job thank you sir.👍

[@gordonmeadows2150]

I need help to find the turn signal fuse on a 2012 chevey malibu ls. I looked all over the car and all 3 fuse boxes and I can not find it can you help me out please.

[@VinodKumar-jt3og]

Yes sir good job 👍

[@sarahguin6277]

I have a 2004 jeep liberty v6. I stopped my vehicle an tried to put it in 4wd. And I forgot to put it in neutral. I kept the brake peddle on and then quickly put the shifter back. After that I had little burning smell from vents. Did I do any damage? I just bought it. I'm really hoping I didn't.

[@robertmacgirvin7425]

Another item to look at is your flex/rubber brake lines. I had an issue with my 2012 F-160 4FX. Replaced caliper and rotors and about 10 minuets smoke and a lot of heat. Replaced front hub. Still, smoke and heat. It turns out, the brake hose was collapsing and not letting the fluid leave the caliper. $ 20 buck part, replace it, I did not, my fault.

[@cognac8297]

You that flex line on the master cylinder too

[@alexsimion7190]

I did this to my car, the piston retracted quite easily, the pins were looking bad but I cleaned it and lubed it and it looked like everything it's ok and the wheel was spinning just fine when it was lifted but still, after the test drive it started again spinning a bit less than before the test and still gets hotter than the other wheel. What else could it be? I checked the wheel bearing of movement but it seems fine.

[@MrHank5899]

This video seems better than your other ones

[@1AAuto]

+@MrHank5899 Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@dwightlee6164]

yes.. The torch works.. my sliding pin was stuck completely.. and the torch worked to get it out.

[@jaimecamacho653]

Thanks Sr . appreciate.

[@crystalcoleman8668]

Do you need to do both sides ? Or can you just do the bad side??

[@landshass2849]

I found it time consuming to get a new bracket because it requires new rubber boots and new pins. So I just order a caliper bracket set with pins and rubbers included. So it's a good time to gravity bleed the brakes.

[@paulmetheny2126]

P.S. how about video for replacing unibelt on Chevy Equinox vehicle's

[@karlmcnamee7620]

My 04 liberty just replaced front brakes and calibers all hoses replaced about a year ago seams all brakes get hot any help

[@OldSchoolNoe]

Fantastic! So many skills on display. Quick quiz for the viewers interested in a career in automotive. (Answers found in video) 1. What type of brake fluid is commonly used? 2. What type of grease is used on the caliper slide pins? 3. To "bleed" the brakes you loosen the _______. 4. True or False: A torn caliper slide pin boot is OK and should be left alone. 5. Two technicians are discussing a seized brake caliper. Technician A says the brake fluid needs to be changed. Technician B says a slide pin could be the cause. Which technician is correct?

[@GreasyWop]

dot 3 I use 3M silicone paste, but you can also use brake/caliper grease that nipple looking bolt on the back lol False Tech B

[@showgirlsaroundtheworldada4484]

Great vlog

[@jamesblake365]

What if you have slider pins that come with no boots begin with or no combination for the boots

[@nashjarwa4347]

thanks

[@reeeek2017]

Thanks

[@josephbarrerareyes]

Gracias por compartir.

[@johndeloach503]

My brakes as a little squeal and i replaced pads and after awhile it started again. What could be the problem?

[@alirazmjou2149]

Thank you so much for this video متشکرم

[@robertehlers4330]

Hey Andy got a stripped bleeder screw how to get it out

[@TommyCooper-sm8xf]

How do u know if the issue is in the vacuum booster?

[@pamelacowgill9436]

I have a 2011 Volvo S40 T5. I have replaced the ABS Modulator and pump, the Master cylinder, The right front caliper and rotor and new brakes pads on the front and just yesterday the Flex hose on the right and My bake on the right is STILL locking up on me after it get heated up from driving, I am at my whit's end with what could possibly be wrong with this, I have been dealing with this issue since last year and now I am still going through this, I have had had it through two different shops and had these things done and I just don't know what to do anymore, can you please help me out here and share with me what you think it could possibly be??

[@miguelfloriano9039]

Great video well explain defiantly subscribe.

[@Arenhammer]

Can anyone recommend a great brake repair place south Florida?

[@jamieatchison3731]

I replaced everything to brand new and it is still heating to the point it is smoking. What could the problem be?

[@Ytownick734]

My Front right tire starts smoking after 10mins, it starts to feel like its dragging then after that it accelerate to 45mph slowly for about a min then allows me to go 60. After i let go of the gas it slows down fast.

[@jjspatel]

I have a question, My right front rotor when installing new rotor, by mistake the brake hose got twisted, after driving 5-7 miles, I noticed smoke, so I opened up and saw that the hose is twisted. Made this right, but now I measured temperature after driving 20-30 miles and left rotor is about 60 degrees Celcius and right rotor is around 75 degrees Celcius, is this normal to see temp diff. between left and right rotors or this is because the brake hose was twisted?

[@jameswatts9814]

Is it normal for new brakes to smoke a little?

[@oscarrox]

Used car owner here. I've Just been told the offside rear brake has been binding (not binding right now), and has caused heat damage, replacement of disk and pad reccomended. £400/$495, Kia Stonic (UK), through a Kia dealership, that's a lot of money!

[@HardyManful]

It's dangerous to run a double pad system with only one pad in a position right?

[@MrCoursair77]

Great!

[@BagHouseARK]

I did a job on a 2006 dodge charger I replace pads and rotors now they are smoking hot. So no I need to boot and pins since they stuck needing help asap

[@HypocriticYT]

It’s usually a small animal stinking up caught in the mechanism. The large ones roll over the hood.

[@connorscustoms2628]

Hey why did didnt u geasres the pins

[@Rickxx881]

How did you not notice that before you put it together.

[@rodneyjohnson2064]

I hear noise but i can't tell what It is brakes are new rotors are new?

[@edwinbab705]

On prius the rotor bolts very hard to take them out

[@terabali7247]

Good 1

[@Jayzc66]

My rear wheel is whistling😙😚😙 and kinda hard to move just a bit.

[@markholyoak9790]

you could put a pipe pushed on the brake pedal and seat that would stop the brake fluid from coming out

[@crossbow3539]

Shouldn’t you have crimped the rubber break line hose before breaking the line lose?

[@onpsxmember]

Try a foam ear plug instead of the glove balloon.

[@ngzcaz]

Yeah, when you heat a bracket that's it's red hot, it's time to change it, especially since the slider pins still weren't as free as they should have been even after wire wheel and grease. 👍

[@nikkilovetheyardsale-again2608]

I had to edit this post. The rubber glove trick is so got damned amazing and beautiful 🥰 I can't tell you guys how much you have saved my life. You guys taught me how to do my own breaks, Fix my U joints on my drive shaft, how to do my hubs and wheel bearings also you saved mine and maybe someone elses life. If any of thise things failed and i was going over 20 mph it could have been so SO sad. So seriously. Tysvm. 🥹 my 2008 toyta rav 4 is sitting in my deiveway unable to move not because of the engine or transmission or differential but because there is soething else wrong and tomorrow im tearing into it. This is the first thing im going to check.

[@briangarcia1218]

Excelent

[@banaweekidane2630]

My god that garage is clean.....

[@galaxykicks6880]

I had just bought new one put it together and it seized up

[@connorscustoms2628]

Rotors still have a cross hatch pattenern doesn't make sense if ha

[@icelandic_mughal2223]

How to know if it’s a bad caliper or a bad brake hose that’s causing the caliper to malfunction.

[@humbertothebeliever2443]

My 2004 Toyota sienna is making a scraping sound, and the disks brakes were getting extremely hot, burns to the touch and smells like hot metal. The mechanic told me it was the caliper and disk brake. He replaced them, but the problem is still the same.Could it be the Wheel bearing? I feel a Vibration at the gas pedal, all the way up to the steering wheel.

[@1AAuto]

+@humbertothebeliever2443 We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@shahbasharat]

Doesn’t heating change the quality of the metal? Especially heating to red hot temperatures. It’s going to weaken the metal

[@sudinebabz8651]

Super 👍🏽

[@dominicfong6341]

Something doesn't makes sense here. Why the rotor look literally fresh-out-of-the-box new and yet it is coupled to a seized up rotor?

[@alecjansen4416]

Safe to say when using torch you dont need cutting goggle. A pair of safety glasses will do just fine.

[@alfredflores4017]

I think that pin looked pretty crooked. I seen a slight curve.

[@SubvertTheState]

So i should just buy a new car...