The driver's side rear wheel on my 2005 Mazda 3 is heating up and smells of brake pad. I suspect that the piston is stuck but I'm not sure how to check to make sure and how to proceed if that is the problem. We rarely use the e brake so I don't think that this is the issue. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I plan on pulling taking a closer look tonight. Thanks in advance.

 

Sounds like a stuck piston. I would take it apart and check the pads. See how they are wearing and if it's even on both sides. You need a special tool to screw the piston back in if you are going to replace the pads. If the e brake was adjusted to tightly it would affect both sides.