best way to detect a stuck caliper?

[cmc76]

out of nowhere on Saturday I got a grinding, pulled it apart. rear drivers rotor was shot, inside pad was all metal.
I put on a new rotor, greased everything, new pads. cleaned the caliper, was able to clean it up well.
New pads and rotor are on, have not drove it hard at all, but im still getting some burning scent, minor smoke. whats a reasonable amount of time for it to settle in, before swapping out the caliper?

 

[cmc76]

I might have been chasing an issue that didn't exist. They were getting hot, but seems to have resolved itself. Ill give it a few days and crawl under to inspect. but no more smoke, no more smell.

 

[Kenny D]

The best way to check is to have someone operate the brakes, while you are looking to see if the caliper retracts.
The smell might have went away because the pads may have worn down enough to allow less restrictive movement.

 

[cmc76]

I was thinking that, but its not like they are spring loaded to retract. Ive only put on maybe 30 miles with the new pads and rotors.
I will make sure to have someone there when I climb under. good idea.

 

[Kenny D]

They will retract due to the hydraulics. Did the same for my son's front calipers on his 90. Also check the rubber brake line too, they will also mimic a stuck caliper.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

They will retract due to the hydraulics. Did the same for my son's front calipers on his 90. Also check the rubber brake line too, they will also mimic a stuck caliper.

The line could be kinked or clogged.

 

[Kenny D]

The line could be kinked or clogged.

Either this or the inner liner can collapse upon the return suction. The hoses are rubber/stainless braid/rubber.

 

[2011SSVHOE]

brake line too, they will also mimic a stuck caliper.

Either this or the inner liner can collapse upon the return suction. The hoses are rubber/stainless braid/rubber.

a collapsed line can act like a check valve!!

 

[Fless]

New pads can smell hot during the initial break in. Use the pad manufacturer's break-in procedure if it publishes one. Many times you have to look at the mfr's web site to find it.

 

[cmc76]

i was going to look this morning, but its a monsoon. It does seem that any sign of smoke/smell is gone though.
Thanks for the ideas though guys, i will be going under to take a closer look to be sure.

 

[O5Denali]

I had a stuck caliper on my Rear Right side and I noticed as I was driving on highway (long distance trip) the vehicle just felt a little slower... more resistance... que pulling over and touching my lug nuts which were blazing burning hot!!

I was lucky that I caught the last town before I was stranded or with a vehicle on fire as the highway had a 2 hr drive to the next city, even luckier they had one caliper in stock for such a small town

 

[Junkyard kid]

out of nowhere on Saturday I got a grinding, pulled it apart. rear drivers rotor was shot, inside pad was all metal.
I put on a new rotor, greased everything, new pads. cleaned the caliper, was able to clean it up well.
New pads and rotor are on, have not drove it hard at all, but im still getting some burning scent, minor smoke. whats a reasonable amount of time for it to settle in, before swapping out the caliper?

Best to check jack up truck spin wheel by hand if it does not spin easy then it's sticking ,replace it