Overheating brakes

Jeep123

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Sep 5, 2018
Messages
8
Location
south carolina
I recently had new brake pads installed. The mechanic put on ceramic pads because of the fact that I carry mail and he said they would hold up better to the constant stop and go. The next day I drove it and the brakes smelled like they were burning. Took it back to mechanic, he took everything apart and checked calipers, bled the line and put it all back together. Next day same thing only this time all the brakes are super hot and the front still smells like it is burning. He popped the hood and freaked out how hot it is and said maybe the master cylinder it getting too hot or the pressure valve thing next to the master cylinder is overheating and not properly working. I need this thing fixed for my job - any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
 
The first thing I would suspect would be a seized brake caliper. These are the exact same symptoms I had when my caliper was seized.
 
  • Like
Reactions: skrelnik
Your stuck calipers causing overheated brakes after new pads were installed is very commonly caused by bad installation technique. The mechanic might have contaminated the inside of the caliper with crud during the piston retraction process.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Vtx531 and skrelnik
Thanks everyone for your comments. The mechanic did suspect the calipers and took everything apart the first time that I mentioned the burning and hot wheels. Everything was good. I went ahead and had him change the calipers and hoses anyway but that still did not help. I drove it for the first time yesterday and before i got to my first mail box it was burning and HOT. I even had customers comment on the burning smell from my Jeep. I tried engaging and disengaging the 4 wheel drive just in case that somehow had something to do with it. Don't laugh, I am not a mechanic OK. One of my customers mentioned wheel bearings? By the time I got done with my route the check engine light is now on and the front wheels are hot - mostly the right side front. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, someone mentioned that maybe the ceramic pads were the problem since it did not have those prior to any of these problems?
 
You should be bringing it back to the mechanic and having him fix it. This is 100% unacceptable for a vehicle to leave a mechanic and not be running right. Any good mechanic would fix it no questions asked.
 
I’m inclined to think a seized bearing at this point based on your description. And FOR SURE on the mechanics time


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi
 
OK, so here is the latest on the overheating brakes debacle...I took the Jeep back to the mechanic and told him that I need this thing fixed. He said that he does not think that the bearings are seized - he now thinks it is the master cylinder. His reasoning is that when he went to back it out of the way at his shop, the brakes locked up within a few feet. He called some other mechanics and they concurred. On a side note, I ended resigning from my position as a mail carrier due in part to this Jeep. Everyday I drive it, it costs me money with these continuing problems - Is there a way to check the master cylinder or do I have to replace it to check it. Also, is there a way to check if it is a seized bearing? I have decided to keep the Jeep even without the job because I really enjoy it, but dang - I need this problem fixed and I just don't have enough knowledge to know how to fix it. Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
No way!! Why would you quit!!?? I work for the PO! Granted I intend to go full time and work toward retirement


Hope you get it worked out. I can’t think of another thing to check. As for the bearings. Do you hear any noise while driving? Ie a whine or droning hum?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2005 RHD TJ Sport
2010 BMW 528xi
 
My brake cleaning routine: I always remove the two guide pin-bolts and clean them with a very fine grit sand paper. Then grease them back, stroke them with the caliper assembly many times until it is slip-free, before I put the pads back.
 
is it just one wheel getting hot or both? Jack up each side and see if the wheels rotate freely or is there considerable drag? if the wheels both rotate freely when cold take the jeep for a drive and once you notice it getting hot jack it up and check again.
 
I think the overheating brakes issue may finally be coming to a close...It appears that the Master Cylinder is bad and has been leaking for some time - according to my mechanic. Additionally, the brake module (?) had some fluid in it, I think he said antifreeze?. He is changing those parts and then hopefully the Jeep will be good to go. Thanks again for all the support and suggestions it helps a lot that this forum did not make me feel "stupid" for not knowing exactly all of the mechanics.
 
I think the overheating brakes issue may finally be coming to a close...It appears that the Master Cylinder is bad and has been leaking for some time - according to my mechanic. Additionally, the brake module (?) had some fluid in it, I think he said antifreeze?. He is changing those parts and then hopefully the Jeep will be good to go. Thanks again for all the support and suggestions it helps a lot that this forum did not make me feel "stupid" for not knowing exactly all of the mechanics.
The true jeep community is here to help. Not make fun of. We all have been in this kind of situation before. Keep jeepin"!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Shane Mckinley
Hi, do you know what you mean by "brake module"? I have a TJ with the same issue. If "brake module" is the same as the thing under the master cylinder, I am very interested. The thing under is some kind of "brake proportioning valve". This is the part "MOPAR 52009115". It has some kind of nimple on the end of it, can I bleed that? This valve distributes the brake force correctly to the front and rear, and I want to know if I need to replace mine? My Jeep issue is I had the drivers side hot/smoking brake. Had some drag, replaced both calipers in front and pads. Bled brakes and now have no brakes. Pedal goes right to floor. I bled 1.5 quarts through the system about divide that by 4 at each wheel. No air is coming out, yet still minimal brake resistance, vehicle can barely stop before emergency brake kicks in at end of pedal stroke. Could this be the part I listed? I already replaced master cylinder and followed instructions from that part on how to "bleed it" before installing in vehicle. Any help is greatly appreciated. Tagging in to this thread as it seems so directly the same as my issue and ended without a clear conclusion. Thank you!
 
Last edited:
@Chris You might want to make a new post out of #18.

@jeepin28 Black Magic Brakes sells a proportioning valve lockout tool. In fact a few posts down folks were discussing that very tool..


-Mac
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris