Another possibility is that the caliper is NOT releasing after application. I had to replace both calipers on my '91 (after it had been sitting for an extended period) . Just age can cause the boots that cover the sliding parts to deteriorate, and let our common enemy RUST into those sensitive areas. If the calipers are earlier-design two piston types, the boot on those can also dry out and tear, and become a catch-all for crud, and cause the piston to stop retracting, also. I got a cherry-red rotor out of THAT episode! Don't forget that you may damage wheel bearings if you heat up a rotor with a dragging brake - melting the grease out of the bearings is a bad thing, and not immediately noticable.

Ken Lewis <kdlewis_wating_time@ALLVANTAGE.COM> wrote: Chris,
I have heard the rubber brake lines can fail internally, acting like a one way
valve. You can push fluid into the cylinder but it can't get back out on its
own, causing the pads to drag.
KenLewis

Quoting JordanVw@AOL.COM:

> so after driving my vanagon for a little bit today, i smelled this "burnt
> rubber" smell from the RF wheel area, not bad, barely noticible.. but i
> touched
> the alloy wheel and nearly got burned!! it was sooooo hot.. what is the
> symptoms of a sticking caliper? i dont hear any dragging... but the brakes
> do
> suck on this van.....
>
> any ideas as to why that wheel would be so hot?
>
> chris
>

Evan Mac Donald

1984 Wolfburg
1985 GL 7 Pass.
1991 Carat Weekender