mienekie/midas all those big chain places are thoroughly schooled on how to nickel and dime you to death on things you don't need.

What vehicle is that? You said car, but it's rear wheel drive, and these days, There aren't tons of RWD out there. Rear "shoes" indicates drum brakes, so I'm thinking this is a truck/SUV?

The smoke coming out of the back of the spindle looks ominous. If I lived closer to you, I'd say bring it over, order a pizza and let's tear it down. despite what has been said, I have seen wheel bearings run dry generate heat, smell, and light amounts of smoke if they get hot enough. Like bumble said usually there's a lot of sound that goes along with it.

Find a locally owned mechanic shop to look at it if you're not into doing the work yourself. I would think on a military base there's a motor pool, and if so, there's probably some guys there that would be willing to take a side job for parts plus a little - or at least give you a real second opinion?

 

There are still drum brakes (rear) on a lot of smaller, more economical (trying to state it nicely) front wheel drive cars. A lot of them are foreign, like Kia or Hyundai.

There are also 4 wheel disc brakes on RWD cars, like my favorite, the Lincoln Town Car. I have 3 of them, haha.

 

Well im about to tear into the front wheels today and change the pads. The rotors are still fine so while im there i will be cleaning and lubing. Ill also check where the smoke was coming from and report back with some pictures if anything looks odd.

adrenalnjunky: Its a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport and there is a auto hobby shop but with the hours i work i wont have that time off till next week and thats to far to not try and fix it. I will be going in there though to do the drum brakes since ive never done em before. Doesnt look to hard though.

 

right - my 97 Z24 was still drums in the rear, but he specified pads on the front and shoes on the rear, so I was going with drums in back, and the video posted showed a steering spindle without a CV axle, so it meant rear wheel drive.

I can't think of too many RWD cars with drum rear and disc front (that at least have been built in the last 10-15 years. Maybe a base mustang or crown vic - but that just doesn't seem his style, lol. So I guessed the truck/SUV, hoping it was a S-10 or chevy/gmc fullsize, which I have a bit of experience with and could help him if needed.

Cool - one thing about the rear drums - cars are like motorcycles, most the stopping is done with the fronts. Drums are known to go a long time without needing replacement - my dad's driving a Z71 with 180K on the clock that still is on the original rear shoes, and every time he checks em, they're got plenty of braking material. Shops like Mienekie are notorious for getting people to pay for rear shoe replacements they don't need. (Not quite blinker fluid and muffler bearings, but close)
The bigger problem is that you personally can't inspect them without taking the rear drum off, and sometimes that's a chore all by itself if you don't know some of the tricks. Then you've got the problem with getting the springs and ebrake and everything removed, and then reattached.

My suggestion if you're going to do it yourself, buy the rear shoes to do the job, but make sure the place you get em will take them back if you don't need them. Pull the rear drums off and compare the amount of braking material on the old before you start removing everything.

 

So i took the front tires off and went to replace the pads since he said they needed to be replaced. I figured i could trust him on that but i guess shame on me. They brakes still had some good life on em.


Before i took the caliper off i inspected for what could be rubbing or making it smoke. I found that the bottom of the rotor has this dust tray type thing that was rubbing at the bottom and causing it to heat up and eventually smoke. I verified with the driver side and it was not bent so i knew i had to unbend it. So with a little prying that wouldnt damage the rotor i was able to unbend it and WALA its fixed. No more smoke.


I ran into a issue with the top piston sticking so i sprayed a little WD40 and let it soak for about 15 minuets and then used a C clamp and some cardboard to push it back in. The piston now works fine. Now everything is all lubed up, all the seals are perfectly fine, rotors are nice and smooth(no shaving needed).

So for 45 bucks and 2 hours of my time i got the job done along with the experience to help others now. Next week ill be checking the drums and if they need to be replaced i will do so.

So thank you everyone for all the help.

By the way if your doing it at night make sure you have a charge your work light so it doesnt quit on you.

 

hey Chris I am glad you got it fixed and for a lot cheaper than a shop would have d*cked you around for, congrats on the learning experience and wanting to help other i really respect that

 

Damn man. A real mechanic (or at least myself anyway) Would have done that for 45 bucks and you wouldn't have had to lift a finger and you'd have it back in 25 minutes lol. Test driven to verify the smoke is gone? It wasn't the backing plate making it smoke. Just would have made it noisy. That sticking caliper on the other hand would have...

 

Haha that would be awesome.

But yes it was test drivin for about 20 minuets and there is no longer smoke. As far as the piston sticking it was the top piston so it wouldnt have been smoking from the bottom. Maybe it was built up brake dust or something. Who knows. All i know is its fixed and im happy.

LJ: I cant imagine not helping people. Its just how i was raised. If you know something to help others why not share it when they need it. Thats why im glad i have this forum. I know all of you will help if you can.

Haha so far i have fixed motorcycle, computer, car, and relationship problems all from this forum. Ill never leave this place.

 

*like*

 

I work on just about anything that goes wrong in my life, cars, bikes, electronics, plumbing, whatever....I hate paying someone else to do something I can probably figure out on my own.

That being said, there are 3 professional people that everyone needs to have that they trust completely:

1) Your doctor
2) Your barber
3) Your auto mechanic

I don't care who makes more money, or went to school the longest - for all 3 it comes down to having faith in them to take care of you.