Is it the Parking Brake?

Question

Hello all.

I've had many many questions about this car and I appreciate all the help.

I have a 94 Taurus.

It has rear disk brakes.

3 years ago I took it to the shop and had the brakes done..and noticed smoke from the rear right tire..they said it was the parking break..which we never use.

They disconnected it.

Recently the car started it up again..the smoking on the rear right tire.

I've lost two hubcaps.

I put a new caliper, new brake pads, and new brake hose on. The caliper is getting brake fluid when it was bled.

Does anyone know whats wrong?

Answer 1

If it has rear disc brakes and the parking brake is disconnected then the culprit has to be the caliper, the only other option would be the master cylinder but that would cause both back brakes to smoke.

On a long shot, it is conceivable that air could be in the left rear brake line and so a sticking master cylinder would only be causing the right brake to drag. I doubt it because over time the air would work itself out and both brakes would be smoking. You can jack up the left wheel and apply the brakes to see if it is working, if it is not then you probably have a master cylinder issue in addition to whatever is causing the left brake to not apply.

I usually will not construct scenarios like this because they are not very likely but since you said the caliper on the dragging right wheel is new and the emergency brake is disconnected it must be a very rare problem.

Good Luck!

EDIT: As an afterthought, look for oil around the right rear brake. The smoking could be the result of an axle seal leaking on the disc or residual brake fluid from the caliper replacement. If this is the reason for visible smoke there will be quite a bit of oil in the area, obvious when you compare it to the side that is not smoking.

Answer 2

even though the parking brake is disconnected, it still can be hung up back at the caliper. does you pads release from the rotors when you let off of them? if not, there,s your problem or a caliper is hanging up.

Answer 3

Disconnecting the parking brake on a drum brake is very wrong the system is designed to have it in place. Smoke should never be coming from the brakes there is something else wrong you need to take it to a better brake guy this time and on that doesn't feel like he's taking you for a ride. In 20 years I haven't seen smoke coming from a wheel of a car because of brakes.  

Answer 4

thats odd...i would say the diff leaking oil on your brake pads, but its a front wheel drive car, so thats impossible...im really not sure, but if your mechanic disconnected your parking brake, he could get charged for that....you need a parking brake on your vehicle for it to be road certified and safe!