Brake pad smell after long downhills

TyroneandGladys wrote:
IMHO change the rubber brake lines at each wheel. They can break down internally and because there is pressure when brakes are applied will let brake fluid through but when brakes are released there is no pressure and the brake fluid will not return through those lines causing brakes to stay engaged.

I ran into this strange phenomenon in my Pontiac Fiero days. The internal break-down of the rubber brake line creates a make-shift one-way check valve. What happens is the rubber swells up inside to the point of a complete restriction. Brake fluid gets forced into the caliper when braking, but is not free to relieve brake pressure when letting go of the brake pedal. The caliper then drags. As things heat up from dragging, the grip tightens more because the hot brake fluid inside the caliper is expanding. Strange that after everything cools down, the pressure is relieved so the caliper acts normal again. It can be tricky to diagnose. Many mechanics automatically diagnose a bad caliper, but in such cases, the problem is the rubber brake hose. If one rubber brake hose is bad, be sure to change all four to assure the others are not similarly swelling inside.

I feel high performance stainless steel braided brake hoses are questionable because dirt and debris can build-up between the stainless mesh and the rubber inside, creating other concerns. I think they are best used in seasonal-use performance cars that the owners will compete on weekend fun tracks.