SO this was weird. Did my wife's Explorer (2014) brakes about a week ago (one tank of gas on the new parts). Other than an a little initial brake odor during the official wagner break-in procedure they have been great. Smooth, quiet and powerful with no pulling or other problems noted.
Today, all of that remained true but after driving approx 8 miles from a cold start there was an obvious odor of hot brakes. Rear wheel hubs where HOT to the touch and letting the car roll down the drive in neutral produced a nice brake dragging sound. This was a nice, easy drive with the family in car. I tried pumping the parking brake numerous times and it still made the dragging noise. After a few hours at our destination, we drove home via approximately the same route (also non-spirited). Ambient temps had decreased from sunny and mid 80's to dusky and mid 70's.
NO brake odor on the return trip, wheels cool to touch and no dragging noise in neutral on driveway. My primary suspicion is insufficient clearances for the brake pad ears (which is a known issue) despite my aggressive cleaning of the caliper bracket with a wire wheel during the job. But if this was the case, why/how did the problem seemingly develop and then go away on its own? Other thoughts? I plan to pull them apart on my next day off, but I really felt like a did a very comprehensive brake job on this car. Possible symptom of hose damage? I did have to move the calipers around A LOT when screwing the pistons back in...
Today, all of that remained true but after driving approx 8 miles from a cold start there was an obvious odor of hot brakes. Rear wheel hubs where HOT to the touch and letting the car roll down the drive in neutral produced a nice brake dragging sound. This was a nice, easy drive with the family in car. I tried pumping the parking brake numerous times and it still made the dragging noise. After a few hours at our destination, we drove home via approximately the same route (also non-spirited). Ambient temps had decreased from sunny and mid 80's to dusky and mid 70's.
NO brake odor on the return trip, wheels cool to touch and no dragging noise in neutral on driveway. My primary suspicion is insufficient clearances for the brake pad ears (which is a known issue) despite my aggressive cleaning of the caliper bracket with a wire wheel during the job. But if this was the case, why/how did the problem seemingly develop and then go away on its own? Other thoughts? I plan to pull them apart on my next day off, but I really felt like a did a very comprehensive brake job on this car. Possible symptom of hose damage? I did have to move the calipers around A LOT when screwing the pistons back in...