Sounds like 1 or more bad calipers, or maybe one is sticking. My Bronco's passenger side caliper tore up one time and it started smoking pretty bad. I don't know how just changing the pads could have screwed it up until he really beat the hell out of it somehow. Good luck. Maybe a real mechanic will post an answer!

 

depending on the type of pad some can be really thick and it might just be breaking itself in.. they do smoke sometimes due to pad type as long as it isnt billowing smoke out your ok

as for any pulse in the pedal its due to a rotor being warped....
the only other time ive seen or felt a brak pedal pulse it was due to a rotor with major heat spots and a cracked rotor.. also make sure u go back and re tighted you rlug nuts,ive had 4 come off my old ramcharger from not re torquing or checking them that will definatly ruin your day when your wheel rolls passed you on the highway..also dont over tighter your lug buts it can cause premature rotor ware issues like warpage..

usually when a caliper hangs up you usually notice it cause the truck almost hesitates a bit when you begin driving cause the caliper is locked up sticking out against the rotor..

usually when you change break pads you should always use some sand paper to scuff up the rotor so the pads have a better seat and braking..

i just changed the front brakes on my bronco 4 days ago and the rotors looked ok until i did the passenger side and looked on the back/inside and the last person who did the brakes just pulled a pad slap job cause the rotor is grooved and driven with the metal to metal for some time but i didnt have a new rotor around so i have to get new ones in about a month..

i hear these 87 rotors are f ing expensive so i shall see

if u need anymore info drop me a line

from the sounds of it you may have a warped rotor but brake pads will smoke when they are new so i wouldnt worry about it as long as u dont feel like your dragging a tire aka locked up caliper.. if your ever out and u come across a locked up rotor pry it loose a bit then clamp off the rubber hose going to that caliper to get you to the nearest shop or home.. it will stop the fluid from pushing the caliper out and locking up a wheel.

 

Crap can build up on the caliper cylinder walls. pushing the piston in for a pad slap can sometimes get that crap caught up between the piston and cyl wall.

You would have a pull to one side without using the brake, and itll feel like the parking brake is on.
Jack the truck up and try to turn the wheel/tire by hand, there will be some resistance but you should be able to tun it. If not, replace the offending caliper.

Remove your rotors yourself and bring them into a brakeshop, As long as they are thick enough they can be turned.

If they went metal to metal at least one surface somewhere is bad.

 

sounds like i should just invest in new rotors?

 

bump^ pay a pro? If I had that kinda money I wouldnt be drivin a '96 bronco

 

I would go with butch87 and say the pedal pulsating is warped rotors

You can take your rotors to Checker or Pep Boys (Not sure where you're from, but those are the "big chains" here besides Auto Zone). They both charge ten bucks to turn a rotor ($20 for the set). No need to toss your rotors if they have life in them. $10 is a lot easier on the pocket than $150 (Saved me quite a bit of cash thus far).

If you weren't there watching him, he might have pressed the brake pedal and popped the piston out, causing brake fluid to spray out and get burned on your rotor.

 

Sounds like you should just pay a pro who knows what he's doing so you don't kill yourself, someone else, or wreck your truck. You know they don't make Broncos any more, right?

which is why he should give his bronco to me.

 

Im gonna have one of the techs at my work check my rotors for me, and I guess I'll have them turned if I can, as I'd much rather save on buying new ones. I work at a honda dealership, and on the right day I can have a tech work on my stuff for free . .. prob should have had them do the breaks in the first place :duh but i give my buddy an A for effort