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Yesterday, my brakes caught on fire

Tiny
MILLERLYTE2
  • MEMBER
  • TOYOTA COROLLA
I own a 1997 Toyota Corolla, 130000 miles. I had brake trouble, and the master cylinder was replaced in February 2007. The brakes were never right, and I took it back several times. The last time, the mechanic said he had no idea why the brakes weren't working properly. I would either have NO brakes (and use the emergency brake to stop), or have to accelerate to get down a hill (like they were stuck). Yesterday, my brakes caught on fire. Melted everything (even the hub caps!). I had it towed to a different mechanic, and he said that he is very puzzled by all of this. He also said that he found some info saying that this has been a problem with my type of car. Any advice? Anyone ever hear of this happening?
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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 6:21 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
I have never run into this but certainly has my curiousity. Do you have anti-lock brakes as well?

How often has the brake fluid been flushed?

Was it the front brakes or rear brakes that caught fire?

Rear disc or drum brakes?
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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Fire. As in you SAW flames? Both sides?

Sorry for questions, just tryng to clarify.
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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
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Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Sounds like there was a hydrolic lock up casuing the calipers to stay in the on position. Before I would be suspicious of the master cylinder, I would be curious to know what brake problems led up to the Master being replaced. Perhaps it was mis-d iagnosed or bad master that was installed.

I would recommend checking the pushrod lenth at the master cylinder and shortening it if necessary and also check to make sure the slides are free and lubricated on the caliper, especially the top one.
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Thursday, May 10th, 2007 AT 4:52 AM
Tiny
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Soooo. What happened?
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Friday, May 11th, 2007 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
KAMO
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  • 47 POSTS
From the sound of it I would say have your brake booster checked. Did the brake become very stiff before you had to accelerate down hill and such? Chance are if that was the case, your brakes didd not catch fire but built too much pressure that the booster could not release, resulting in your calipers locking. The brakes get stuck, it causes a lot of heat, and it starts smoking very violently if you drive on it.

Check the break booster.
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Wednesday, May 16th, 2007 AT 3:39 PM

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