I'm sure it's been discussed before, but can't seem to find what I'm looking for with a search. A few weeks ago, I smelled hot brakes but thought it was the trick I'm front of me. Didn't notice any drivability issues with mine & dismissed it until today when I smelled it again. It was my back left brake. Wheel was pretty warm but not massively hot. Decided to drive the last 2 miles to the house, and it had cooled off & that stinking hot brake smell was gone. Decided to get back on the road & 30 miles later no issues. Seems to be intermittent at best, but know it has happened a couple of times that I know of. Can't see it being the caliper as my experience has been once stuck, always stuck. Ideas?

 

The pistons in the caliper may be sticking due to rust. all of my calipers were rusted to the extent that most of the pistons were sticking. I was able to rebuild the fron ones, but the left back was just a solid mass of rust. I couldn't even get the pads free from the pistons.

 

Guess that might explain how it only does it every once in a while. Perhaps a good coat of surface rust (like after a rain & sitting) on the caliper might just push it over the edge & make it stick. Guess I'm caliper & brake shopping as it really was hot before I noticed it. Thanks!