Jim,
I had a similar incident earlier this fall, when I was driving my '95 truck home and cussing the driver in front of me for riding the brakes. I got home and checked the rt. front and sure enough it was MY pads burning. Two new calipers and pads for $200 and it was kinda good to go. But the mechanic and I found that all of the steering gear was worn completely out. So another $500 to repair that. I fully get the service writer quote, I used to be one in a dealership. I guess it drives home the need to lift the hood every now and again just to check on things. Smiles, MH