Burning smell from front brakes

bestia · Oct 19, 2023

Hi guys,

Replaced my front pads and rotors early in the summer with Centric rotors and Centric ceramic pads (first time using this brand). Noticed in the last few weeks ago a smell coming from the front brakes after a short drive (10 kms). The smell would be so bad, it would come through the vents while driving. I've placed my fingers through the wheel holes near the rotors and they don't seem to be hot at all. Thinking the original caliper pistons might not be fully releasing, I installed new front calipers and I'm still getting the same smell. I jacked up the front end and spun the wheels and aside from the normal slight drag, they spin freely. Tried pressing the pedal several times and spun them again and no issue (thinking maybe collapsed brake hoses?). Looking at the colour of the rotors, they do look a little dark (not blue from a major overheat). Anyone have experience with Centric brakes and if their ceramic pads give off any odours? Highly doubt this is normal but just wanted to get your opinions. Thanks!

bilysquier · Oct 19, 2023

I've used Centric pads and rotors (you practically have to replace the rotors every time you do the brakes on these Odysseys) - I've had no issues with odd smells.

davedrivesody · Oct 19, 2023

bestia said:
Replaced my front pads and rotors early in the summer

Did you clean the new rotors with brake cleaner during the installation?

bestia · Oct 19, 2023

Absolutely, rotors cleaned with brake clean before installing (done many brake jobs over the years). Real head scratcher. I'm tempted to replace the brake hoses just in case (the van is a 2007 with 158000 kms (~100K miles).

davedrivesody · Oct 19, 2023

bestia said:
I'm tempted to replace the brake hoses just in case

Probably a good idea anyway due to their age, as well as to eliminate them as a suspect in the present issue.

Juggawut · Oct 20, 2023

Are you sure it's the brakes?

Is the smell constant while driving or only during/following braking?

bestia · Oct 23, 2023

Juggawut said:
Are you sure it's the brakes?

Is the smell constant while driving or only during/following braking?

Even in short trips (3-4 kms) there's a faint smell starting. I'm going to take it on a longer drive and see what is going on. I rarely drive the van (only put on ~2500kms on it in the last year) so it only ever sees short trips. It may be that there is a slight drag on the brakes, not enough to generate substantial heat but enough for the pads to smell. I was on holidays a few weeks ago and when I drove my rental down a pretty steep stretch if road (several kms), that required a lot of braking to keep my speed in check, when I pulled over, I had an identical smell to my van.

majiexpress · Oct 23, 2023

Just my two cents, if it is a brake drag and produce smell, the rotor surface gonna be hot to an extent that your hand feels burnt

Juggawut · Oct 23, 2023

Yes friction material dragging on the rotor will create excessive heat radiating from the wheel much more than at any other corner of the car.

Burning smell from front brakes

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