Hi, I have a 1998 Disco and of course ABS light has been on since I bought it. But I recently noticed my brakes have been extremely hot after even short drives.

All four are dragging, but they must not until higher speeds? When first shifting into drive, and taking foot off brake, it creeps forward exactly how it should, so they obviously aren't grabbing too hard.

What are usual ABS problems that engage warning light and could cause this? Or am I just crazy, I am used to an 86 corolla with D/S & vented rotors in front, and oversized supra rear discs! I noticed these discos are solid on all four, and it is a heavy truck (4400lbs is still 2200 more than my rolla!).

Can someone verify these brakes usually run hot, or do I have something hanging them up? The only thing I can think of is the pedal adjustment ( if even adjustable?) Not having freeplay and always slightly depressed? Sorry for long post thank you for all help!

 

Start by pulling the fuse for the ABS, you won't have ABS but that's not an issue. Now I'm not too sure about the brake temp but how does the pedal feel when breaking? Soft/hard? Are you hearing any sort of break squeal while driving?

 

It sounds to me that the calipers may be dragging ( ie, not fully releasing as they should). This occurs with age and corrosion. Heat willl warp the rotors.

Questions:
How long have you had it?
How many miles are on it?
What have you done so far to analyze it?
Have you pulled any of the wheels yet to look at the rotors, pads, & calipers?
Are you still driving it?
Are you capable of servicing the brakes yourself?
Have you had anyone look a it?
Are you waiting for it to burst into flames?
Why am I asking all these senseless questions?
Who am I?
Why am I seeing all these strange colors?
Who is that Beautiful Woman?
Is she motioning to me?
Why is everyone staring at me?
Where is that music coming from?
Why are the walls moving and the floor tilting?

 

Danny, I just spit water all over my screen. Thanks for the laugh.

 

On a recent episode of Cops, a woman was driving thru downtown Atlanta in a 95 Ford Explorer. It started smoking really badly from the transmission, but she did not "like that part of town" so she kept on going for a couple of more exits. I finally coasted to a stop, astill smoking when a guy in a AAA van saw it, pulled over and yanked her and her teenage daughter from the car.

As the State Police cruised up, it burst into absolute meltdown flames everywhere.

She told the driver that was the fifth damn transmission that burned up in that damn car.

I have never seen one burn that badly. The fire truck did douse it and retrieve her purse and the daughters softball batbag. The daughter was furious her glove and shoes were screwed up.

The cop just shook his head and kept asking why didn't you stop driving it?

 

I've had it about a year, replaced rear pads when got it. Fronts were, and still are good. I always check fluids regullarly, and am pretty attentitive to things being "off". This is my wifes daily driver, and as I rarely drive it, it may have been doing this for a few weeks maybe. Perhaps another excuse for terrible rover milege? ; )

So can anyone confirm if the pedal is adjustable? Ill pull the fuse, that should tell mme if its in the modulater? Either way ill see if that helps. Thanks for suggestions. Sorry I can't answer all of yours? (Walls closing in, who the woman is, etc) lol

 

So I pulled the main abs pump fuse (40a screw down fuse) under hood, and 30a blade style under hood. Drove to store and back, regular driving no hard braking, and now the fronts were still super hot, and backs were just about how I would expect, hot to touch, but not burning, feel the radiiant heat like front. Naturally the fronts should be hotter, (closer to booster) but still I guess back to my original question, am I just over worrying?

Do solid rotors just retain more heat, and don't cool as quickly, so I Shouldn't be worried? Like I said I'm used to large vented rotors up front, (my 89 bronco even has that!) And only solid in rear, which never seem that hot, due to being rear, and not performing as much of the braking. So could it be just that they are solid fronts, on a heavy SUV?

Could someone check theirs after a regular drive, and let me know how hot theirs seem? I can now hold my two fingers on the rears immediatly after stoping and getting out, and they are hot, but won't burn me. The fronts the wheel spokes are warm and I can feel the heat, and if I touch them I immediately have to pull away, and I now have no hair on the backs of my two knuckles!

I now also pulled the 5a fuse (ABS) under dash also, I will check to see if there is any difference, (doubtful)

 

The ABS has nothing to do with the brakes being hot.

Naturally the fronts should be hotter, (closer to booster) I do not understand this logic either. Do you think it sees more pressure being closer?

If they are super hot, they must be dragging.

If you want to seriously check the temps, buy an IR (Infra Red) Thermometer. They are relatively cheap, you just point the device at what you want to measure and pull the trigger. It will give you precise temps a lot better than the two finger feel method you employ.

And if they are dragging, your pads would be severely worn. Then again, maybe the rotors are severely warped.

 

The fronts are hotter because as you brake all the car weight transfers to the front..

(When you take off, you can feel the car shift towards the back)
(When you brake, you can feel the car shift forward)

 

nice try but no cookie, as anyone who drives a motorcycle knows 70% of braking is done by the front because as you brake the weight shifts forward taking weight off the rear wheels, if the same amount of braking is applied to the front and back the rear wheels will lock up and skid.