all of suddenly (within a few seconds), front left caliper locked up and created the heat and smoke. After I got home, I took caliper out, cleaned the whole thing and lubricted the sliding pins. I checked the caliper piston and it seems to be moving back and forth fairly easy. It is medicore now but much better.

I am not sure what could have caused it to lock up? plugged hose? defect master cylinder? (the right front brake and rear brakes are fine.) could it be the driveshaft that has something to do with it? would thin rotor cause brake caliper to lock up? it seems not warped as the steering does not shake when I use the brake.

I am debating whether if I should get a new caliper, rotor and hoses?? would it be waste of time and money? the rotors are original with 180 k miles. calipers are original also. the car is 92 accord.

thanks.

Jim

 

Didn't you see anything when you took it apart?

Were the caliper slide pins sticky?
Pads wedged into the caliper bracket so they don't release?
I'm not sure about a plugged hose, maybe just replace it & see if it happens again.

I don't know if the rotors can get so thin that the pads wedge into the caliper bracket?? But measure the rotor thickness - there IS a minimum spec for that...

 

Most likely a collapsed brake hose.