Posting this more as an FYI in case it might help others. About 2 months ago I was smelling something burning when I got out of my 2005 TL 6MT. It wasn't something I smelled in the cabin while driving or felt while driving. I also didn't smell anything in the engine compartment when I popped the hood. I called the dealer and they (surprisingly) said that I didn't need to bring it in, and that it might be a plastic bag that got caught in the exhaust that needs to "burn off". I didn't see anything under there visually (but I didn't put it on a lift) so I thought I'd let it roll for a bit longer. Then on the way to work, I heard a squealing noise that was fairly loud. At that point I decided to take it into the dealer and just had them check it out...that's when they found out it was a stuck rear left caliper. I didn't have the time to do anything else other than just let them do it for about $300...I think that's high but oh well.
Anyway, if this will help some of your DIY'ers out there, then I'm fine with my sunk cost. Buying the part myself and having my local non-dealer shop do it would have save closed to 50%.

 

It happens, and although costly, at least it's repaired. Have you changed the brake fluid recently?

 

I believe the dealer did because I remember the surprise charge.

 

This seems like a common problem. Many people assume it is instantly a bad caliper, which it could be, however both times my brake started rubbing it was due to the brake hose collapsing. I changed both rear calipers because I drove on it to long when it was rubbing and damaged one. If you drive short distances it can be hard to notice because it does not get hot enough to smell. I noticed when I hit about 50mph my car had a slight shutter like it was out of balance. I instantly checked the brake and it was smoking hot, but it was two late, the damage was done.

 

If it were the hose, as the dealer changed the caliper and not the hose, the same situation would happen again if in fact it were the hose.

 

Luckily no more burning smells so I think they got it. I would have requested a credit card charge back if I was charged $300+ and the problem wasn't fixed.

 

Rear calipers seize on the 04-06 TL...

I got the new one from Advance Auto Parts and gave them my old one for a core refund....done in $80....

+1 for brake flush

 

I've been having a similar problem and it seems to be intermittent. it really is driving me nuts especially since I just installed my brakemotive kit. wish I could pinpoint whether its the caliper or brake line. hey swoosh how did u determine it in fact was the caliper? and how close was the aftermarket one u bought to the oem one?

 

^^^ well my driver rear was running VERY HOT....soo hot that I would not touch the rim....

took the rim off, took the caliper out and tried to push the piston back in to install the caliper back....the piston would not move....and hence I thought I needed a new caliper....

the one from Advance Auto Parts was essentially the same thing....they hook me up with parts and give me awesome discounts...so after everything I think I paid around $50 out of pocket.... ($80 without discount).....and returned my old caliper there for a core refund....

 

oem brake lines may be my first attempt to fix, tried searching for a DIY. any help people's?

 

WOW how did you get to that conclusion?

Brake lines can be very expensive and a huge PAIN in the butt...

 

He may possibly mean the flex line at the calipers.

 

solved the problem so far. I found that my ebrake shoes were hanging up and had to sand them down with 60 grit sand paper till the rotor spun freely. then did the same to the other rear brake setup. almost forgot, I did go around and greased all my slid pins as I found alot of them even in the front were sticking

 

I started experiencing the same thing this week. Rear passenger wheel would barely turn when on the lift. I'll order another caliper and have it replaced. Are the Advanced Auto calipers the exact same or do they have slight variations?

 

^^^ seemed pretty much the same to me