So here's the story. Started slightly pulling to the right when applying brakes about 2 weeks ago. When you let off it jerks slightly back to the left. Reader Digest version. Driving home tonight about a mile from home it starts pulling REALLY hard to the LEFT. Another 1/4 mile and I could smell hot brakes. Only being 1/2 mile from home I drove it the rest of the way. Pulled in the driveway and parked and smoke poured out from fenderwell and tire. Left brake was locked up.  Cooled down a bit, pulled wheel off and as it was cooling down I could push pad back slightly and it started to slowly release.  Had to take wife out to dinner and didn't get back till after dark, so I haven't had time to check it out since it has cooled down all the way.  Where do I go from here?  IT only has 28k and I got it at 26K and haven't really had to do anything to it. Could it have gotten bound up on the slides?  Maybe they need some lubrication?  I read in another pot where it was the rubber line. but I don't quite underdstand how that would maje the caliper lock up on the rotor.  Sorry for the long post.  See you in Carlisle!!!!   Thanks, Tom

The calipers on our cars are mounted solid to the spindle supports...no slides.
A hose can cause this problem because it can collapse on the inside. When you press on the brake pedal, you are putting an enormouse amount of pressure thru the lines/hoses to apply the brakes. With the pedal released, there is only the design of the caliper piston seals, and the slight "wobble" of the rotor against the pads to move the pistons/pads away from the rotors. IF there is a problem with the hose, it's like a one-way valve of sorts...it allows the fluid to go thru in one direction, but not the other(at least not very quickly). Eventually, the fluid pressure built up in the hose causes the pads to just keep pressing against the rotors, causing the pull to one side, and eventually, the locking up. If it sits for a while, the residual fluid pressure will bleed back off, and the rotor will turn again.

hth....check those hoses! When something like this happens on the road, a quick test to see if that is what is causing the problem is to loosen the bleeder screw on the caliper. If fluid spits out under pressure, and the brake releases, then something is not allowing the fluid to release from the caliper. Most of the time, this is caused by bad hoses, but it can also be caused by a bad master cylinder.

I am agreeing with Joel... happened to me and the brake was hot enough to cause the o-ring in the caliper to leak. ...just took me a while to figure it out.

Another in agreement with Joel.  Do what he said...and if you suspect the brake hoses are original or have any age on them...replace them all!  

Lots of folks are going to the braided lines for the brake hoses. They will definitely eliminate the deterioration issue, and also help give you a much better pedal feel. If you replace your hoses, it's something to consider. 

Thanks for the replies and advice.  I know the brake lines are original as the whole car is original with 28K on it now.   Any idea as to who has the best price on braided lines.  If I'm gonna do them, I might as well do both fronts braided and I will do the rears later this winter.  Thanks again!!  Tom