I have an 04 Endeavor. For the past 6 months I’ve noticed a strong burning smell(it smells exactly like burning breaks) only while driving up “the mountain”. It’s several miles long, and it’s the only time I ever smell it. I thought it could have been the emergency break, maybe a spring popped off and while going up hill the incline was causing it to move it wear. So I took that apart and off and tried driving it without. But still the smell is there. Any input?

 

Not sure what might cause that going up hill.I could see it going down if you were on the brakes alot.A sticking caliper would cause the burning smell,but that would be all the time.After you have this smell,carefully touch the wheels and feel the heat.If you have a sticky caliper the wheel will get very hot.Maybe it is an oil leak?I could see a small oil leak that spills over only when you are on an incline.My 2004 has a burning oil smell that comes and goes.