Front Right Wheel Overheating (2000 camaro)

[Pemolis]

I changed the brakes recently and now my front rightside wheel is overheating (severely, after a 10 minute drive, Its as hot as a frying pan on an open flame (water sizzles off the metal, and there is the distinct smell of hot rubber).

I know it is from me changing the break pads, but anybody have any clue why that would happen or what I should look for when I take the wheel back off?

[BigJon]

I'm no car expert..but sounds like you've got a lot of friction going on. Maybe the brake pad is rubbing the rotor while the brakes are "disengaged"? Or perhaps they're clamping too tight when they are engaged?

[mechmike0034]

I know it is from me changing the break pads, but anybody have any clue why that would happen or what I should look for when I take the wheel back off?

The brake is evidently dragging on that side.

Jack that side up and see if the wheel turns easy. If it doesn't, take the wheel off and crack the bleeder screw on the caliper. If this frees the wheel up, either the fluid's too full or you've got a pinched brake hose that isn't letting the brake pressure off when the pedal's released.

If cracking the bleeder does not free the wheel up, you've got something jamming the brake mechanically - look at stuck caliper sliders or something installed wrong.

How full is the Master Cylinder? If it is overfull, it can cause the brakes to drag - use a turkey baster to draw a little fluid out if it is too full.

Did you have any problem pushing the caliper piston in?

Did you open the bleeder before you pushed the caliper piston in? (this expels the nastiest brake fluid rather than having it pushed up to the ABS unit and master cylinder when the piston is pushed in...)

Did you use silicone brake grease to lubricate the caliper sliders and brake pad-to-bracket contact points?

Were there any problems while changing the pads? Was anything a tricky fit?

The more information I have, the better direction I can give...

[Pemolis]

Figured out that the caliper is bad (car drifts to the right even before breakchange).

Were going on that and will probably replace it come monday.

[mechmike0034]

The fluid in the calipers and wheel cylinders accumulates the most crap - mostly moisture and decomposed rubber bits from the rest of the system. This happens for two reasons - these components are at the lowest physical points in the hydraulic system, plus they undergo the greatest extremes in temperature.

Have the system flushed with clean brake fluid once you've replaced the calipers. Yes, calipers - if you replace one, do them both to keep braking action even, and because both calipers have been subject to the same conditions and brake fluid making failure of the other caliper likely since you've already had a problem with one.

[Sierragt]

You might also want to look at replacing the wheel bearings on that side.

I had the passenger side caliper on my truck do the same thing, got hot enough to melt the cap on the valve stem! When I took it in, the caliper was shot (so replaced both front calipers), the hose on the passenger side was in sad shape (replaced both), the passenger side rotor was far beyond saving (got a good deal so replaced both), and of course pads. They suggested doing the bearing package on the bad side, but I couldn't fly the price they quoted, they said just listen for squeaks, it was a 50/50 chance they were fried. So far no problems.
Sucks though, but brakes are not something to skimp on!

[johnnymk]

Generally, before the wheel bearings fail, the grease starts to ooze out of the cup because it becomes almost liquified from the excess heat. At least that's what happened to me in the past.

Maybe today's grease will take higher temperatures before failing??

[mechmike0034]

Generally, before the wheel bearings fail, the grease starts to ooze out of the cup because it becomes almost liquified from the excess heat. At least that's what happened to me in the past.

Maybe today's grease will take higher temperatures before failing??


Most wheel bearings on modern passenger cars are sealed. Light trucks still use servicable tapered roller bearings.