There was a question about rear brakes on a 164 that seemed to be staying
on ( dragging) after brake applications.
One possible mechanism for this , either front or rear, is a failure of
the liner in any flex hose ( between body and hub, etc.).
These flex hoses are multi-layer, with an inner liner, surrounded by an
strength braid, then an outer rubber protective covering. If after
lots of years of flexing a crack develops in the innermost liner, fluid
under pressure can get between the other layers and when you apply the
brakes, they make a sort of bubble or collapsed layer that holds pressure
AFTER you release the brakes - this bubble then chokes off the actual
brake line, holding residual pressure in the caliper side.
This has happened on my milano front brakes, with exactly these symptoms (
brakes are fine untill applied, then they drag and get really hot) - you
can then release the pressure at the bleeder, and the brakes go free.
Until you apply them again.
The hoses can look perfect on the outside - the best test is when they are
sticky, jack the car - see if the brake is binding by turning the wheel-
open the bleeder, close it. If the brakes are now free, you had residual
pressure from some mechanism.
John
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