Rear Discs Getting Very Hot

[dipsomaniac]

noticed a burning rubberish smell today when got out car to buy some chips. abs light is now staying on constantly after previously only being intermittant. red brake warning light is now intermittant. anyone have any ideas?

[richyrich]

I had the sameish problem with 1 disc being really hot with smells as well - mine was simply the brake piston shaft stuck. Tell tale giveaway was the handbrake not doing anything for 1st inch or so. Just sprayed the back of the brake caliper with a bit of WD40 and operated with a spanner back and forth until free. Never had ABS light on though - this would point to the sensors or ring being suspect/faulty. Smell could be ring rubbing on abs sensor - not good news and an MOT failure!

 

Richyrich

[seatkid]

Let me guess - is it your offside rear? IIRC quite a few have had similar problems - I have - but not the ABS - that maybe because you let things go on too long and more damage has been done.

 

Its likely its a combination of things due to corrosion and lack of cleaning/maintenance. If you look under the back of the car, I can guarantee you will not like what you see (muck, rust and more rust!)

 

Lack of regular brake fluid changes leads to sticking pistons. The rusted up handbrake actuator and rusty/caked up handbrake cable holds the brakes on also (red light). Also check your foot pedal fully releases (tuck your toe under it and see if it comes up a bit with a pull)

 

I'm guessing the ABS sensor ring is about to fall to bits (i.e. its mainly rust), if the rubber smelt, I guess the caliper seals are now damaged. Basically you need to strip down ,clean and change the seals on your caliper (or simply replace it) if you want the sticking brake problem to go away completely.

 

While your down there, you will probably find you need new ABS ring(s), disks and pads, possibly brake hoses, clean up the brake cables and mechanism and dont forget new brake fluid is essential.

Edited October 4, 2010 by seatkid

[dipsomaniac]

thanks for your replies. i tend to live by the philosophy that if it ain't broke don't fix it but it now looks like i will have to give the whole system a good overhaul and it ain't looking pretty. just put car on laptop and abs wheel speed sensor code 00290 (rear left g46) comes up. anyone know if the left is from drivers position (nearside) or looking at car from front?