Fluther: Smell of car brakes?

Smell of car brakes?

) June 2nd, 2014
6 responses
“Great Question” (0

)

I replaced my rotor, caliper and brakes yesterday.
I also bled them, but on the way into work I could smell burning brakes. What are common mistakes that I could have made and what would be causing the burning smell?

Follow this question

Send to a friend!

Topics: cars, auto, engineering, fixing, repair, automotive, mechanic, mechanics

Observing members: 0

Composing members: 0

Answers

My guess they are just breaking in a bit, unless you were using them hard on the way to work,unless maybe you have them dragging a bit, but you didn’t mention that so I am again guessing no,if the smell doesn’t go away after a day or 2 then worry but for now, don’t.

SQUEEKY2 (23150

)“Great Answer” (1

)

Be sure and listen/feel for dragging or scraping on the way home. It has been a while since I had a brake job but I don’t recall their being a burning smell immediately thereafter. You may be right, perhaps a spring popped loose or something.

rojo (24179

)“Great Answer” (0

)

New parts are sure to smell when heated to the degree that brakes are. It should stop after a few days, the majority of the smell will be gone after one day.
Did you clean ALL of the packing grease/Cosmoline from the new rotors? (If you got new rotors instead of just turning the old ones.)

kritiper (25757

)“Great Answer” (0

)

And don’t get grease on the pads or rotors! Could cause a smell. As a rule, grease and brakes don’t mix!

kritiper (25757

)“Great Answer” (0

)