Parking Brake stuck what a PITA
 

So, I was going to take a drive yesterday on the free way in NJ, started off okay ,top off the gas,check tire PSI, started down the free way,the x5 felt sluggish , couldn't really figure out what was wrong thought maybe the tranny was going out[drove about 4 miles].
I got off the free way drove[about 3 miles] slowly smelled something burning , stop the car seen a little smoke from the rear tires and knew the brake was stuck on wtf , the handle was down , stopped driving let it cool off ,check the handle again pulled and released, this time it only had 1 click to the handle , so it was free at least, drove home , check it this morning , the f-ckin caliper seal was cooked , and the rotor dis-coloured, pads where cooked .
So I guess I am getting a rear brake job done,wtf.
I think it was the parking brake , but maybe the rear brakes, I will see.:(

I had similar incident and it was rear brake caliper.
Replaced it with reman unit and did brake fluid flush just in case, problem solved.

Thanks did You replace both of them? Both of mine burnt up, Do You have a 4.6is?

If you are not in the habit of using the parking brakes, rust can build up inside the cable thus jamming the cable. I always make it a habit to use the parking/emergency brake when I park the X or any of my cars.

I'm sure its a seized caliper - it happens - how many times have you flushed them over the years?

Parking brake / emergency brake actuates a pair of brake shoes on an internal drum that is independent to the caliper and brake pads that are operated by your brake pedal on the disc. Both systems will impact on the drum/disc/rotor if either is jammed on. Brake fluid is hydroscopic and needs to be changed on a regular basis to avoid internal corrosion to lines and caliper pistons/bore. All part of preventative maintenance and why service intervals in your manual specify brake fluid changes on a regular basis.

Most likely it was the caliper brakes, not the parking brakes.