front brakes

[j.hell]

had a slight problem this morning on my way to do shopping started off fine but after stopping off for fuel i noticed it seemed to be struggling so i eventually managed to find a layby to stop in and my front brakes where smoking one was acctually on fire let them cool down for a bit took the wheel off and everything seemed to be fine it's as if the brakes where stuck on but some how realeased them selves my question is will i have to replace all of the brake components due to the heat or will a clean up do. the car still still stops ok apart from the peddle is now a bit soft.

[slim]

I would check your fluid level as you may of had a leak that would cause the smoking.

[marky]

had a slight problem this morning on my way to do shopping started off fine but after stopping off for fuel i noticed it seemed to be struggling so i eventually managed to find a layby to stop in and my front brakes where smoking one was acctually on fire let them cool down for a bit took the wheel off and everything seemed to be fine it's as if the brakes where stuck on but some how realeased them selves my question is will i have to replace all of the brake components due to the heat or will a clean up do. the car still still stops ok apart from the peddle is now a bit soft.

You also may have boiled the brake fluid as well

[j.hell]

ok cheers looks like i will have to put it in to get it looked at then (more expence)

[slim]

its easy enough to check and change your brake fluid, assuming there is nufink else wrong!!

[j.hell]

i will get the fluid changed and get it all checked at the same time. i don't know why they stuck on though, one possible due to seized calliper but both at the same time

[BUSHWHACKER]

Which model Surf you got ??

[j.hell]

the same as yours 91 burgandi 2.4 auto

[BUSHWHACKER]

Then you've got a sticking piston in the nearside caliper then the same as I did.
It's due to rust forming on the caliper piston 'cos of the brake pads wearing down and the piston can't retract. I removed my caliper and cleaned the piston with wire wool and then polished it, worked fine ever since.

[j.hell]

will get that done when the fluids get done cheers the pads look newish as do the discs

[NiftyNev]

the pads look newish as do the discs

Seized pistons can quite often happen after new pads are installed if the dust seals are damaged. This allows dirt and water to enter around the pistons causing corrosion. With worn pads this has little effect because this part of the piston remains out of the caliper. When new pads are installed the pistons are pressed back in causing them to bind in the bore and damage the piston seals. My advice to anyone doing brakes on any vehicle this age is to inspect the calipers before fiting new pads and consider replacing the caliper seals even if they look ok. Quite often the piston seal is worn enough to allow the piston to rub on the lower portion of the bore. This then damages the piston and bore. Seal kits are much cheaper than new calipers so a little extra spent now will save you much more in the long run. Remember the pads and rotors are not the only parts that wear on the brakes.

Nev

[lclascaris]

had a slight problem this morning on my way to do shopping started off fine but after stopping off for fuel i noticed it seemed to be struggling so i eventually managed to find a layby to stop in and my front brakes where smoking one was acctually on fire let them cool down for a bit took the wheel off and everything seemed to be fine it's as if the brakes where stuck on but some how realeased them selves my question is will i have to replace all of the brake components due to the heat or will a clean up do. the car still still stops ok apart from the peddle is now a bit soft.

I had exactly the same experience on my 3rd Gen. On mine it turned out to be a faulty brake master cylinder. As I depressed the brake pedal to stop at the lights the brakes stayed on, the master cylinder was not sucking the fluid back therefore keeping the brakes on, then after about 10 minutes it was fine again. New master cylinder did the trick, I had to replace the front pads & the discs as they had warped after getting so hot.