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.