Many drivers have trouble with brakes smoking after replacement. If you also find yourself in this situation, do not panic yet.
Sometimes, it is completely fine for smoke coming from brakes after replacement. Check out this post for further information.
Here, you will find the causes of new brake pads smoking and what to do in each situation. We also give you the answers to the most asked question about the subject, so keep reading to find out.
How Do Brakes Work?
Your car’s brakes consist of two components: the shoes and the pads.
To stop the wheels from turning, the brake shoes, which are found on the interior of the brakes, slam into the brake drums, which are the wheels’ metal cylinder-shaped supports.
The pads, which are on the exterior of the brakes, push up against the rotors, which are the wheel-supporting metal discs, to put a stop to the wheels’ rotation.
The shoes and pads are activated when you depress the brake pedal, which subsequently come into contact with the drums and rotors.
The car eventually comes to a halt due to the friction that develops between the rotors and pads (or drums and shoes).
Your car’s brakes will function depending on its type. The most used type is disc brakes, which use the pads to slam on the rotors. Meanwhile, drum brakes employ shoes to push up against the drums.
You can also find some more recent forms of brakes, such as ceramic or composite brakes, that utilize both shoes and pads, but they function largely in the same way as conventional drum and disc brakes.
Brakes Smoking After Replacement: What Are The Causes And Solutions?
The roots of the brakes smoking after change come from the heating shoes and pads, fine protective coat, excessive paint on the brake pad backing plates, and blind floating caliper pins. We will provide you with a remedy for each issue as below.
Heating Shoes And Pads
If you have trouble with brakes smoking after new pads, don’t be alarmed; it is quite normal. It results from friction heating up the shoes and pads.
By pressing down on the brake pedal, the shoes and pads are pressed up against the drums and rotors, slowing down the wheels.
The shoes and pads become extremely heated due to the friction between the rotors and pads (or the drums and shoes). When these components become hot, they might begin to smoke.
Still, don’t be too worried. Your car’s brakes are engineered to tolerate this level of heat; once the brake pedal is released, they will ultimately cool off.
In case the horrible smell continues or your brakes are getting particularly hot, it would be best to take your car to a mechanic and have a check-up.
Fine Protective Coating Layer
You may wonder: Why are my brakes smoking after I changed them? The answer lies in the fine layer of corrosion-resistant coating on your new brakes.
This coating may wear off when you first utilize your brakes, leaving them with a burning odor. As mentioned, your brake resists heat tona certain extent, and it will cool down soon, so there should be no worries.
Suppose you still smell the burnt odor; seeing a professional mechanic is still the best solution.
Too Much Paint On The Brake Pad Backing Plates
An excess of paint on the metal backing plate of the pad can be the reason for your brake pads smoking after replacement.
The black paint coating was applied during production to prevent corrosion on the metal backing plate of the pads.
The end result was brakes pads that were extremely tight and occasionally bind, leading to smoking brakes after changing pads.
To fix this problem, use a flat file to remove some of the paint from your pad. However, don’t overdo this process.
When you remove too much paint, the brake pads will not fit snugly in the carrier, triggering a loud clicking noise when the brakes are used.
During the final fit, lubricate the carrier’s rails and the contact patch with pad grease, making your pads move smoother.
Bind Floating Caliper Pins
There are two types of brake calipers: floating and fixed. The fixed type is fixed, as the name implies, meaning it doesn’t move.
Meanwhile, the calipers move across the rotor when the brakes are applied. In other words, floating refers to the caliper’s modest movement across the rotor prior to the pads making contact with your rotor.
A fixed caliper requires a minimum of two pistons, while the sliding movement only permits one. The floating caliper uses two pins fastened to the braking carrier to move across the brake rotor.
Although the floating caliper is an excellent system, it has a typical flaw.
Damaged protective rubber pin boots let grit and moisture into the bore, where they grow into rust and cause your pins to seize or bind, resulting in brakes smoking after brake job.
To solve this common issue, you can take out the pins and clean them with coarse sandpaper and a wire brush.
Apply silicone grease to your pins and replace any damaged rubber dust boots. In case your pins may seize within the carrier, the carrier must be changed.
What To Do When Brakes Start Smoking While Driving?
Let’s say you are driving and suddenly your new brakes are smoking. Although it can be a terrifying experience, try to remain calm, pull over, and get out of your vehicle.
Checking your brakes’ condition and ensuring the hardware is in good working order is the number one step in resolving braking issues.
When you depress the brakes, your pedals may make a squeaking, grinding, or glistening noise as well as exhibit other frequent indications of brake issues.
The next step is to check the brake rotors and pads for damage if you observe any of these signs. This can be accomplished by attentively inspecting them or by having a mechanic perform a more thorough assessment of your vehicle.
During this check, look for any broken components that need to be changed to fix the issue.
When stopping, applying the brakes gently and slowly at first will allow the system to slow down the car without placing or overheating undue strain on any components.
Then, call a towing service and go to a repair shop to get the brakes fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Drive With New Brakes?
It is highly advised that you avoid driving a lengthy distance shortly after installing new brakes in the car. Fresh brakes must go through the bedding process, calling for careful use of the brakes.
Thus, applying them softly for a couple of miles before utilizing them as usual would be best.
How Long Do Brake Pads Last?
Depending on your driving behavior, road conditions, and environmental factors, brake pads should normally be replaced after every 30,000 up to 50,000 miles (about 48,200 up to 80,400 kilometers).
Keep in mind that the brake pads will deteriorate faster and require replacement more frequently when you often slam on the breaks or travel in stop-and-go traffic.
How Often Should I Replace Brake Fluid?
It is critical to replenish this fluid every few years so that you can drive safely. In case you’re wondering, brake fluid is the substance that assists in applying pressure to the pedal.
The hydraulic oil that serves as brake fluid can oxidize with time, causing your car’s braking system to work poorly.
Notice that the exact time can vary depending on the car manufacturers. Some recommend you get the brake fluid changed every two to three years; others suggest doing so after 25,000 miles (about 40,200 kilometers).
Therefore, it would be best to follow the instructions of your car manufacturer.
Can I Flush Brake Fluid?
The short answer is yes. It is a great idea to perform this procedure occasionally to maintain the condition of your brakes.
To do so, drain the old fluid from the brake system, then add fresh fluid. The following is the procedure to flush your brake fluid:
- Find the reservoir under your car’s hood.
- Fill it with the new fluid up till the “full” line.
- Close it up and take your car for a test drive to determine whether the issue has been rectified.
You can also check out this guide on the brake fluid level you need to flush. It will provide everything you need to know on this topic.
Conclusion
Above is everything you need to know about the brakes smoking after replacement issue, from the reasons to the solution to fix the problem.
As mentioned above, the smoking issue might not be as scary as you think.
It can be completely normal if you encounter the issue of changed brakes and rotors now smoking. Still, you shouldn’t ignore it since it can be a sign of more serious brake problems.
Suppose you have already tried everything, but the smell doesn’t go away; it would be best to take your vehicle to a reliable repair shop and let the mechanic have a look to determine the problem.
Hopefully, this post has cleared out your confusion about this matter, and have a safe drive!
For this forum I would suggest a fifth way smoking reveals the cause of a brake problem. We in south Mississippi are aware of a smoking problem induced by Do It Yourself Syndrome, called ”Creeping Caliper Syndrome (CCS).”
The smoke is produced by brake pads, which over a period of time rub and have enough friction to actually melt or at least soften the metal, which often leads to serious injury of the rotor, which fails spectacularly at high speeds (most notably in Old, non-maintained vehicles. And the culprit behind this? It’s the flexible rubber brake lines connected to the movable wheels.
During the brake pedal to master cylinder to caliper chain of stopping events, that rubber brake line becomes really important. It lets the fluid in, and then releases the pressure on the calipers so the car can roll freely again. But sometimes the rubber line constricts the backwards flow of the brake fluid, and continues to hold the pads to the surface, friction and heat do the rest of the clouds of smoke from the rotor.
Can you detect this condition in Older Cars before they get to the flame stage? I say maybe, because it is based on my experience with CCS it. Its was during my fathers burnt sacrifice of calipers, rotors, and brake pads (semi metallic, metallic, and ceramic: 3 set of pads i cooked trying to solve the whole mess,
How you might detect it starts when you use a C-clamp to push the caliper back into the overall brake body during installation of the new pads. If you screw it down properly, it should be real easy to do. If the caliper has a small amount of resistance, yes you may have CSS. A Lot of resistance, or a total stoppage of backflow of the fluid is a good indicator too. But when you get mad and use a breaker bar and socket to try and turn the C-Clamp: Yes you have CSS.
Whats the cure? Replace the rubber brake lines. They don’t cost that much, and for what it saves in rotor, caliper replacement they are really worth replacing.
Hi Mark.
It’s a great addition to the discussion.
The concept of brake lines restricting fluid flow and keeping the calipers engaged, leading to excessive heat and smoking, is a crucial point that many DIYers might overlook.
In my article, I focused primarily on more common causes of brake smoking after replacement, but your mention of CCS adds an important fifth potential cause—especially relevant to older vehicles and those with worn-out brake lines. It’s also a valuable reminder that brake issues can stem from parts beyond the pads and rotors, such as the brake lines, which are often neglected during regular maintenance.
And bout your question: Can you detect CCS before it leads to catastrophic failure? I agree that early signs like difficulty using a C-clamp during pad installation or unexpected resistance in the calipers are useful indicators. As you suggested, replacing those rubber brake lines is a cost-effective preventive measure that can save drivers from more expensive rotor and caliper damage down the line.