If your vehicle is showing smoke coming from the wheels or brake area, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.
A brake caliper or its slide pins can seize due to rust or lack of lubrication. This causes the brake pads to constantly drag against the rotor, generating extreme friction, heat, and smoke.
Driving with the parking brake partially engaged, or having a rusted parking brake cable that fails to release, causes the rear brake shoes or pads to overheat and smoke while driving.
A failed axle seal can allow heavy gear oil or grease to leak directly onto the hot brake rotors or drums. When the fluid hits the hot metal, it creates thick, foul-smelling smoke.
A ruptured brake hose, loose banjo bolt, or blown caliper seal can spray brake fluid onto the hot brake rotor. The fluid burns off as smoke and severely compromises braking ability.
An extremely worn or improperly torqued wheel bearing can generate massive amounts of friction. The extreme heat eventually melts the internal grease, causing smoke and risking wheel separation.