the right rear rubber brake line stopped up and kept pressure on that caliper. when I got where I was going the rotor was glowing and of course smoking.. I laid down behind the car to look in and see what was going on, just in time for the flames to start.. Then when I thought my car was about to go up in flames..... the rubber line exploded showering hot oil on the even hotter brake disc... Oh yeah I didnt have a fire extinguisher..Luckily it went out on its own. there wasnt anything I could have done, I didnt even have a bottle of water.. I was able to drive it home and so far the things I am sure about being ruined are: rubber line, caliper, pads, and rotor.. don't know about wheel bearing yet.. autozone says they will have caliper today, All other parts already installed.. Ordered both rear lines and still trying to find front ones..

You're not the first.
I'm happy that nothing worse happened.

quote Originally posted by mferrell: . Oh yeah I didnt have a fire extinguisher..Luckily it went out on its own.

You own a Fiero and you don't have a fire extinguisher ready?

In the USA an average of 900 car fires are reported every single day. I'm guessing that most are not Fieros, so car fires are a common every day experience. You need a large fire extinguisher handy at all times. BTW, my Indy has caught fire...TWICE. and I did have to discharge my extinguisher in anger for the first one.

my 02 impala did the same thing... luckly it didn't catch fire.

quote Originally posted by jscott1: You own a Fiero and you don't have a fire extinguisher ready? In the USA an average of 900 car fires are reported every single day. I'm guessing that most are not Fieros, so car fires are a common every day experience. You need a large fire extinguisher handy at all times. BTW, my Indy has caught fire...TWICE. and I did have to discharge my extinguisher in anger for the first one.

I know I know I'm gonna have to get one.

Gotta ask, how old was the rubber brake line ? Just curious.

Not that I'm worried, as i don't have any on my car.

Did you feel the stuck caliper as you were driving? When the hose fails that way it usually acts like a check valve and allows brakes to operate normally but won't release all the way. As you discovered eventually it won't release at all.

quote Originally posted by California Kid: Gotta ask, how old was the rubber brake line ? Just curious. Not that I'm worried, as i don't have any on my car.

It was original, as is almost everything on my roughly 30,000 mile car. 84 se 4 speed 4 cylinder

Brake lines that are 23-28 years old are accidents waiting to happen.They were not designed to last forever. Rubber brake lines deteriorate internally with age/use and will eventually lock up the calipers. This condition is very common on older vehicles that have not been maintained. I've seen many cars where this has happened and severla Fieros where wheel fires have started. You can avoid possible fires or accidents by changing those lines. If you want to drive an old vehicle ( and keep it from a fire) you must accept that frequent maintenance will be required.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Flotech Afterburner Exhaust, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
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i agree

quote Originally posted by mferrell: It was original, as is almost everything on my roughly 30,000 mile car. 84 se 4 speed 4 cylinder

Probably want to check the fuel lines too. Not to mention the vacuum lines, radiator hoses…just about everything that’s rubber and original should be checked and or replaced. even with the very low milage, it's still 28 years old. Glad you got away with minimal damage.

[This message has been edited by DLCLK87GT (edited 05-14-2012).]

quote Originally posted by DLCLK87GT: Probably want to check the fuel lines too. Not to mention the vacuum lines, radiator hoses…just about everything that’s rubber and original should be checked and or replaced. even with the very low milage, it's still 28 years old. Glad you got away with minimal damage.

entire fule system has been replaced. radiator lines replaced. vacuum lines getting there. motor replaced with jasper engine. all suspension and braking original till a couple of days ago, working on replacing all brake components now. and thanks

Hey, those things catch fire, don't they?

link

I was carrying a dry chem all the time, now I carry a halogen instead.
A stuck caliper could be the caliper it's self and not the line, but replacing rubber after a few years is a good idea.
I always go with Gates when I can.

quote Originally posted by crashyoung: I was carrying a dry chem all the time, now I carry a halogen instead. A stuck caliper could be the caliper it's self and not the line, but replacing rubber after a few years is a good idea. I always go with Gates when I can.

The rubber lines can stop up. THe insides of the line degrade to the point that the liner swells and will not release fluid properly. I have never had it happen on a fiero yet but I did have it have on a 1/2 ton silverado truck. It did it so bad that the drivers front wheel would literally lock up and stay that way for 20 to 30 minutes before it would release.

They thee to have problems at the hose mount/flange. This swells with rust and pinches the hose. Also. The caliper slides can sieze.