Needing some input/wisdom

[Pappibri]

Okay. So off and on I am getting a burning smell coming from the drivers rear tire area, and as I say, it comes and goes. I put on new pads awhile back, and this did not happen until recently and I have put tons of miles on it so I know its not from that. It kinda smells like brakes, but could be something else. I have no uneven wear on the pad, I took it to the dealer and told them and he even replaced the caliper on that side. Well, its happened twice again since then and that was last week. It is very strong and I have no doubt it is coming from that area. I have all new fluids as well. Rear and front diff, trans case, transmission. The only thing in that area is besides the tire of course is the gas tank where I believe the fuel pump is right? So anyone have any ideas?

 

[alrock]

What about the parking brake adjustment? Did anyone inspect that? I would recommend jacking up the rear axle and spinning the wheels and they of course should spin freely. Then apply the parking brake and make sure they are engaging and releasing properly. (Wouldn't be a bad time to adjust the parking brake regardless). Check both wheels. The parking brake pads are a completely different system than the regular discs and calipers.

Even though there's a new caliper it might be good just to double check that it is clamping and releasing.

 

[Pappibri]

I did check that while I had it jacked up. I loosened up the adjustment to give it a wee bit more slack. But I will check again and see if that is causing it. Once a week I always engage and disengage the parking brake just to keep it freed up. I cant think of what else it can be, but it drives me crazy when I stop somewhere and get out and my rig smells like somethings burning.:grr:

 

[alrock]

Maybe there's something caught and melted on the exhaust, or wrapped around a driveshaft? BTW, fuel pump is in the gas tank so I doubt you'll smell any burning, at least not before the giant kaboom.

 

[3Hummers]

My first guess would be the parking brake also. With a new caliper you wouldn't think a sticking piston would be an issue. If it smells like brakes it has to be tied to that system. Are you noticing an unusal amount of brake pad dust on your rear wheel?

 

[08H3]

I've got to go with the parking brake as well. Double check your adjustment. They can be difficult to adjust from my experience. It's a very fine line between properly adjusted and dragging. Hope you figure it out.

 

[f5moab]

Pads and pistons are not park of the parking brake system on the H3. The parking brake consists of brake shoes inside the rear rotor.

 

[f5moab]

Forgot to add...are you sure it is brakes you are smelling and not electrical tape burning? check behind the left (driver) tire and check the bundle of wires for a trailer hitch. Also, check right at the muffler. On early 06 vehicles, the wiring at the muffler was known to fall in toward the muffler burning. In later years it was not a NORMAL problem, but could still be a problem at times.

 

[Pappibri]

Yeah, I am about positive it is brake that I am smelling.. I will focus on the parking brake assembly. Dont smell electrical. Thanks guys. And yeah, no big kaboom as of yet, unless, hey wait a minute .... No I'm still breathing.. Thanks again. You would have thought the dealer would have checked the parking brake inside the rotor?? I am going to check it out tomorrow. If that is what it is, its going back.

 

[4speedfunk]

Check to make sure the rear calipers aren't frozen on the floater pins. Its very common for those pins to get corroded and freeze up. This results in one pad dragging on the rotor. When properly lubed...the caliper will "float" back & forth and stay centered on the rotor. You should be able to grab the caliper with your hand and slide it back & forth (inboard & outboard) 1/4" or so.

This does not apply to the front calipers...they're mounted rigidly.