Smoke from brakes (LF), what to do?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northen Europe
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Smoke from brakes (LF), what to do? XJ-94
Hi,
Just finished fixing some rust in the back of the old jeep, all nice and sealed. Took it for quite a spin and through city traffic when I started noticing a nasty smell (had windows down to air out the rust paint that was drying) and pulled over to take a look – I had smoke billowing out from the LF wheel house, ie somewhere from the brakes (and the rims were extremely hot.)
I thought the brakes were a bit "mushy" and not really braking when using them, also I heard screeching and a weird metal sound (usually when turning) from them earlier in the day up until the point when something was burning.
I haven't done the lift-wheel-up-and-spin -test just yet but will do sometime tonite I think – but is this a tell sign of busted brake pads or what else?
Just finished fixing some rust in the back of the old jeep, all nice and sealed. Took it for quite a spin and through city traffic when I started noticing a nasty smell (had windows down to air out the rust paint that was drying) and pulled over to take a look – I had smoke billowing out from the LF wheel house, ie somewhere from the brakes (and the rims were extremely hot.)
I thought the brakes were a bit "mushy" and not really braking when using them, also I heard screeching and a weird metal sound (usually when turning) from them earlier in the day up until the point when something was burning.
I haven't done the lift-wheel-up-and-spin -test just yet but will do sometime tonite I think – but is this a tell sign of busted brake pads or what else?
Last edited by McHank; 09-26-2011 at 12:19 PM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Leeds, Maine
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I didn't see what year you have, but the front calipers can stick which means the brake is on all the time, hence the heat, noise etc. Once it cools down, pull the wheel off and take a look. It's a pretty simple system. A couple of bolts hold the caliper on, then a couple more hold the bracket on. Good luck!
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northen Europe
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
I didn't see what year you have, but the front calipers can stick which means the brake is on all the time, hence the heat, noise etc. Once it cools down, pull the wheel off and take a look. It's a pretty simple system. A couple of bolts hold the caliper on, then a couple more hold the bracket on. Good luck!
Ok, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem (for a guy who has limited expertis when it comes to brake systems)? What should I look for?
#4
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Just yesterday my caliper stuck on. My 1997 XJ started pulling to the right and then the brake completely got stuck on. Got it towed home. Then replaced the caliper. It was only 22 bucks at advanced auto parts with a core. Easy swap. Good luck!
#5
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 stock
park the vehicle and push the brake down hard then shut off the engine. Jack up the wheel you had trouble with and remove the wheel. Crack the bleeder screw on the caliper. If fluid shoots out with a lot of force then you have a line problem. Over time the soft line can deteriorate and cause fluid to pass under a lot of pressure one way but not release the caliper.
If the fluid doesn't shoot out then you likely have a sticking caliper. Easiest thing is to just replace it.
Mushy brakes is likely caused by old brake fluid. Brake fluid will absorb water and break down. When this happens the heat from the braking force can cause that water to boil causing steam. Air compresses so it makes the brake pedal feel very mushy and the brakes become almost unresponsive.
If the fluid doesn't shoot out then you likely have a sticking caliper. Easiest thing is to just replace it.
Mushy brakes is likely caused by old brake fluid. Brake fluid will absorb water and break down. When this happens the heat from the braking force can cause that water to boil causing steam. Air compresses so it makes the brake pedal feel very mushy and the brakes become almost unresponsive.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northen Europe
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
park the vehicle and push the brake down hard then shut off the engine. Jack up the wheel you had trouble with and remove the wheel. Crack the bleeder screw on the caliper. If fluid shoots out with a lot of force then you have a line problem. Over time the soft line can deteriorate and cause fluid to pass under a lot of pressure one way but not release the caliper.
If the fluid doesn't shoot out then you likely have a sticking caliper. Easiest thing is to just replace it.
If the fluid doesn't shoot out then you likely have a sticking caliper. Easiest thing is to just replace it.
Also, is this what I'm looking for? And do I need to change them as pairs or will one do?
http://www.abergsvtc.se/shop/images/...ar_18_4340.jpg
Mushy brakes is likely caused by old brake fluid. Brake fluid will absorb water and break down. When this happens the heat from the braking force can cause that water to boil causing steam. Air compresses so it makes the brake pedal feel very mushy and the brakes become almost unresponsive.
#7
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 stock
If it shoots out brake fluid it is likely the soft line. That is the line between the metal line and the caliper.
As for changing calipers I don't think it is 100% necessary to change both calipers but when I had to replace a caliper I went ahead and did both along with new brake pads. Parts are cheap....especially when you are talking about brakes.
As for changing calipers I don't think it is 100% necessary to change both calipers but when I had to replace a caliper I went ahead and did both along with new brake pads. Parts are cheap....especially when you are talking about brakes.
Trending Topics
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northen Europe
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
If it shoots out brake fluid it is likely the soft line. That is the line between the metal line and the caliper.
As for changing calipers I don't think it is 100% necessary to change both calipers but when I had to replace a caliper I went ahead and did both along with new brake pads. Parts are cheap....especially when you are talking about brakes.
As for changing calipers I don't think it is 100% necessary to change both calipers but when I had to replace a caliper I went ahead and did both along with new brake pads. Parts are cheap....especially when you are talking about brakes.
Allthough being a jeep-owner in northen Europe does not equal cheap parts, my auto store wants about 180 bucks for one caliper...
#10
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 stock
In that case either taking the caliper to be rebuilt or you rebuilding it yourself would be a much more cost effective option. See if you can locate a rebuild kit. It would include several seals. Most kits have enough to do both calipers and are usually under $10 bucks (in the USA)
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northen Europe
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
In that case either taking the caliper to be rebuilt or you rebuilding it yourself would be a much more cost effective option. See if you can locate a rebuild kit. It would include several seals. Most kits have enough to do both calipers and are usually under $10 bucks (in the USA)
Is there any way it could be just the brake pads or would that not act like what happened today?
edit.
Is this the kit I'm looking for?
http://www.sbvab.se/jeep/cherokee-xj...-zj-93-98.html
#12
CF Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 stock
That's a good tip, I'll see if I can have a kit or two sent over.
Is there any way it could be just the brake pads or would that not act like what happened today?
edit.
Is this the kit I'm looking for?
http://www.sbvab.se/jeep/cherokee-xj...-zj-93-98.html
Is there any way it could be just the brake pads or would that not act like what happened today?
edit.
Is this the kit I'm looking for?
http://www.sbvab.se/jeep/cherokee-xj...-zj-93-98.html
Yes according to the description the kit looks like it would work.
It wouldn't be the brake pads because the brake pads do not take part in the release of the caliper.
#13
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northen Europe
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Northen Europe
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
So, I actually ordered 2 new calipers and sets of brake pads (from Germany, half price from the swedish, outrageous, pricing). But now I'm concerned that I should have gotten some rotors as well – being fairly new to brakes I'm wondering what to look for in burned out rotors? And could they (the ones on now) be an issue with brand new calipers?
#15
CF Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: chillicothe, OH
Posts: 2,139
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by McHank
So, I actually ordered 2 new calipers and sets of brake pads (from Germany, half price from the swedish, outrageous, pricing). But now I'm concerned that I should have gotten some rotors as well – being fairly new to brakes I'm wondering what to look for in burned out rotors? And could they (the ones on now) be an issue with brand new calipers?