So about a month ago, I was driving and all of a sudden the road started feeling really bumpy. Naturally, I got out expecting a flat tire only to smell an awful odor and white smoke coming for my right front caliper. Thinking my caliper was sticking, I let it cool down and then reversed a few feet and went on my way.
Everything was fine until today where the same thing happened. I'm assuming my brake caliper is seizing, but I don't understand why it would happen a month ago and again today as it is my daily driver. When I replace my caliper would I also need to replace my brake bad as it may be burned? (Ceramic brake pads)

Thanks guys

 

I think it may be worthwhile to determine which part(s) is (are) seizing. You have the caliper piston, and the caliper slide bushings. It's much easier to replace the boot for the bushings and regrease the pins than to replace the whole caliper. So unless you know it's the piston, I'd start there.

 

Is there any way to test the bushings and stuff to diagnose the problem. Additionally, out of the following items which items should a buy? (Buying a caliper is kind a last case scenario, I'm not trying to spend $100-200 on a new caliper)
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4-...per/ES2681267/
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4-...iper/ES259535/
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4-...per/ES2570110/

 

^You'll need all of those parts to rebuild each caliper. Be aware you need two caliper pins for each side, they're sold individually.

 

Is that all I would need? Is this a problem that would be fixed by rebuilding?
Thanks guys, your help is much appreciated.

 

It should if it is actually the caliper seizing. Those are all the moving parts of the caliper: Piston seal & dust boot, guide pins, and bushings.

 

If you don't find any problems with the caliper pistons or guide pins and bushings then I would replace the front brake hoses, both sides, even though just the one side might be causing this problem. With this not being a consistent problem it could still be all things mentioned in this thread. But hoses can collapse on the inside. With turning the wheels and bumps maybe sometimes it creates a blockage that can cause your issue. What can happen is brakes are applied, high pressure applied to the caliper pistons, then when the pedal is released the brakes pads on one side don't relieve pressure. Example, 400 psi brake fluid goes in to caliper, 350 psi comes out, leaving 50 psi to drag the brake pads and then you get smoked brakes on that one side.

This doesn't happen too often, but it's something to think about should that caliper slide pin and piston look good to you.

 

You could try bleeding the brakes at that caliper before you do anything that involves money. If the fluid is burnt, you've confirmed the fluid is getting too hot.

You could then remove both front wheels and compare the pads (inner & outer). That should confirm if and where you're getting your drag from (and how much) - therefore giving you your known and confirmed starting point for repair.

That's how I'd triage it anyway.

 

Thanks Jeff-ill definitely look Into that should the rebuild not work.
A4turboguy-the fluid is getting too hot as the brake pads are dragging the rotor causing the caliper to heat up a lot. And the pads are going to be worse on the passenger side as they have been dragging. Thanks for the insight though, anything is worth mentioning.

 

remove that wheel and pull the caliper. make sure the sliders are sliding. sand them down, polish them, grease them, and even if your slider boots are bad, this will buy you several weeks to get new boots. you should be able to compress the caliper piston while you are in there. I suspect sliders.