Hey guys,

Car is a 1980 242. While driving down the interstate last night there was a sudden and momentary (2 seconds) slight rumble shudder from the left rear wheel area, sort of like running over a rough patch of pavement. After about a mile, I could pull over, inspected tires, rims, underside, etc., and found nothing abnormal. Drove the remaining 4 miles home on local streets (approximately 35 mph) with a few traffic light stops etc. When I got home and took a closer look, I noticed that the left rear wheel was significantly warmer than the other 3, and there was a slight smell of a dragging/burning brake pad. Tonight I will get the car up, pull the wheels and see what's up. Any ideas what I should be looking for ? The weird thing is that this happened all of a sudden, WITHOUT any pressure on the brake pedal. I can understand a caliper locking up after braking and not releasing, but I had been driving for 10-15 miles at 65mph sice the last time the brakes were applied before that momentary shudder. Also, I can understand a parking brake perhaps not releasing, but again, it had been about 30 miles since the parking brake had been released. There is no sensation of anything dragging back there. Parking brake appears to engage and hold, and release when released. No sound of dragging or grinding.

As always, thanks to the assembled brain trust.