I just bought a '96 outback wagon with 60 000 miles on it. It is in mint condition and runs perfectly. The problem I am having is with the front brakes. Any time I am braking off an exit ramp or slowing down from high speed my front brakes begin to smoke and give off a really nasty smell. I have since had the front pads and discs replaced but find that the problem still exists. Does anyone know what my be causing this??? A few people I have spoken to say that there may be some brake fluid getting on to the pad or disc. Whatever the case, the smoke and smell are really anoying!!!

Has the fluid been changed? If you're hard on 'em and they are overheating the water evap can smell quite nasty but I'm actually thinking you may have a stuck caliper holding a bit which would warm things up. If you have fluid leaking onto something and cooking you'd know it as you're levels would drop pretty good quickly and it would be very spongy more than likely.

I just bought a '96 outback wagon with 60 000 miles on it. It is in mint condition and runs perfectly. The problem I am having is with the front brakes. Any time I am braking off an exit ramp or slowing down from high speed my front brakes begin to smoke and give off a really nasty smell. I have since had the front pads and discs replaced but find that the problem still exists. Does anyone know what my be causing this??? A few people I have spoken to say that there may be some brake fluid getting on to the pad or disc. Whatever the case, the smoke and smell are really anoying!!!

Are you sure it's the brakes smoking? If not, my guess is that it is engine oil or CV grease splattering onto the exhaust system.

but I'm actually thinking you may have a stuck caliper holding a bit which would warm things up. If you have fluid leaking onto something and .

 

 

i was thinking the same thing.on the 92 i had it was doing the same thing but after changing the front calipers i found out it was the hill holder.

 

rlynam- do you have auto or standard?if auto then more then likely caliper,if standard then i'd check the hill holder to make sure the cable's not stuck(keeping it on) unless you have hydralic clutch then i'm not sure if those have h/h device