Hot Rim, Burning Smell

Pretty sure I have a stuck caliper.

My driver side front wheel has been getting HOT, has a very distinct burning smell and its been pulling to the left (driver side).

I am having my bearings repacked and my break pads replaced on Friday. I am going to have it checked out then.

so my questions.....

1. what damage have I done?

I have been driving like this for a couple weeks now, 20 total miles a day and I dont know if I have hurt my rotors, or heated the rim up such that it affected the tire.

2. am I safe to wait until friday, continuing my 20 miles a day of use?

3. I read somewhere that the hot rim can cause my tire to blowout---true???

4. is a caliper fixable, or should I order one
4a. from Merlin, or other???

I would get a hub from a salvage yard to have on hand.
That kind of heat/abuse can cause the hub to expand to the point where the bearing race is loose in the hub...:_wrench:

& yes, that does sound like a stuck caliper.

Be prepared to buy both pads, rotors and calipers..

If your wheel is heating up, that rotor is toast.. Most shops will not replace just one.. And if its stuc that bad, you may not be able to reset the caliper.. Plus the other caliper has been working harder now

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Originally Posted by etlsport

Be prepared to buy both pads, rotors and calipers..

If your wheel is heating up, that rotor is toast.. Most shops will not replace just one.. And if its stuc that bad, you may not be able to reset the caliper.. Plus the other caliper has been working harder now

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agreed. but check slider pins - that might be a problem. if it is vibration when you brake - rotor is warped for sure.

I replaced my brakes last winter and discovered I also had a stuck caliper. The caliper must had been stuck for a long time because the rotor was in bad shape. I purchased two new calipers, pads and rotors from autozone. Luckily I didn't have any issues with the hubs, just repacked the bearings & inspeceted everything thoroughly.

I have had this happened to me already 3 times, 2 on the right rear, and once on the left rear. I can tell you to change it as soon as possibly. I took out my calipers, and beat the rust off that had built inside. it runs good for a while till it happens again. My suggestion is to buy new calipers, pads, and rotors if need be. If cash is an issue, like my case, then just make sure to check the problem out and do a temp fix.

Now real quick, how and where can i repack my bearings?

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Originally Posted by CoastieCosta567

Now real quick, how and where can i repack my bearings?

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Its pretty straight forward and there are a couple walkthroughs in the drivetrain how-to section. You will need the hub removal socket which can be purchased online for under $10.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CoastieCosta567

Now real quick, where can i repack my bearings?

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In your driveway...:smilewink

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ldub

In your driveway...:smilewink

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lol, thanks Ldub :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by VXorado

Its pretty straight forward and there are a couple walkthroughs in the drivetrain how-to section. You will need the hub removal socket which can be purchased online for under $10.

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thanxs bro. If anyone got any pictures of it done, that would be great, I'm more visual then verbal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CoastieCosta567

lol, thanks Ldub :p

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Any time Bro...:smilewink

Here ya go...these ought to be what U need...:yesgray:

http://www.vehicross.info/modules.ph...warticle&id=59

http://www.vehicross.info/modules.ph...warticle&id=58

Thanks Everyone.

Only recently has my wheel been getting hot.

Knowing what I know now, I can say that this has been going on for a few weeks. (back then I thought it was an alignment issue)

Heres what happened.

Pulling to the left for a couple few weeks...only when slow and not all the time. Driving on the highway, I could take my hand off the wheel and it would track straight.

Lately, I have been noticing a slight odor when I got out of the car, but it was gone quickly.

Now I have pinpointed the smell to the front left wheel well and the wheel area has been warmer than the rest. Last night when I did alot of stop and go driving, I noticed that the rim is actually pretty warm too. Rotors were NOT glowing red and the rim didnt sizzle ....I held my hand on the rim for awhile. The rotors are drilled and slotted so perhaps that some how helped. When I brake, things feel normal....no real shimmy or shake.

I am already planning on:
1 new caliper
4 sets of brake pads
front bearing repack

I am preparing myself for the possibility of:
2 new rotors

I am aware of the possibility, but not prepared for the possibility of:
1 salvage yard hub.

I dont think I am going to buy a replacement caliper for the front passenger wheel. No sense in replacing a caliper that hasnt gone bad, right?

Questions:
1. Could I visually tell of the rotor is warped without removing my wheel?
2. Are calipers relatively universal, or should I order one from Merlin?
3. Should I replace my front rotors with rotors that match my rears? (currently all drilled and slotted) or replace fronts with current choice and then replace rears eventually (mismatched)
4. Anything wrong with getting a "re-manufactured" caliper? I just saw some on orielly auto for $45 for the front. At that price I WOULD replace all of the calipers.

Its funny, I read a similar thread regarding a very similar issue and it happened right before Christmas too. funny stuff.

Just got back from the mechanic.

All fixed.....

New Calipers an new brakes all the way around. (bearing repack as well)

I lucked out and didnt need new rotors or a new hub.

However, I did take LDub's advice and I purchased a hub from a junkyard ($50). I am going to try and return it. Otherwise, I will have a hub available for anyone that needs one.

I was also able to take advantage of the fact that they were going to need to bleed the brakes at all 4 calipers and replaced my ABS Module as well. I was lucky in the fact that I go to a very cool isuzu place that lets me come back with the VX and allowed me to do all the "labor" when replacing the ABS module. Saved me $130.

Aside from spending some cash, this was a pretty good day. ABS light hasnt been off in 1-2 years. Strange not to see it.