LBRunner123

I have a 99’ 4unner SR5 4x4, noticed last night there was a burning smell when I got out of the car, but as it was dark couldn’t find see exactly where it was coming from. Today I arrive at work and smell it again, rear passenger wheel. There is black smoke, looks like the smoke is coming out where the brake fluid hose goes into the drum. Please see attached picture, red arrow shows where I think the smoke is coming out. I just got this 4runner, haven’t ever worked on brake drums. Is it even the brakes?
Should I drive it 12 miles home today?
Any help greatly appreciated.

habanero

If it's smoking I'll bet that drum is hot. Brake shoes sticking, maybe. Look for a fluid leak, like axle seals or wheel cylinder. To get the drum off there are 2 holes to screw bolts into to force the drum off the shoes, if the drum won't come off on its own. Don't know if it's cold enough where you're at but my parking brake cable seizes up when it gets wet and cold and freezes. Did you feel any drag when you were driving?
Your pic is too small for my eyes, but where the arrow's at is where your wheel cylinder is, above the rubber plug for the parking brake adjust, which appears to be missing? I hate farsighted old lady eyes!

Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable with rolling a smoking hot drum for long but I'm NOT a mechanic by any means.