Front Driver Brakes Hot!

[tthomasgmc]

I replaced my hubs few weeks ago and decided to change my front brake pads while there. They still had life, but had 125k miles, so I turned rotors and replaced pads. Truck ran fine and I checked for heat problems, all was good. Since last week the front driver brake seems to have been rubbing and producing heat on two occasions. I notice it's hot, like smell it and heat gun it at 450 ish. Get back in truck and continue driving and it's fine. Took things apart and seems fine. I did notice when installing there's not much room on the outer pad for movement, with new pads. I'm thinking caliber going bad, just odd I never had this problem before. Any other things to check? Truck has 125k original miles.

[Rambos_Ride]

Seems like you might have calipers sticking.
Have you flushed brake fluid?
I’d also check brake lines for possible replacement the hoses can get weak and partially collapse.

[tthomasgmc]

Haven't flushed the fluid in a few years, it's not real dark, just slightly tinted. I removed the caliber and applied the brakes, 1 piston fully extended and the other one didn't. They didn't seem to retract after releasing break, if that means anything. I'm thinking changing caliper and hose.

[tthomasgmc]

I replaced the caliber, hose and flushed the lines; seems to be working. The fluid looked pretty bad, that poured out of the caliber. Should i replace the caliber on the other side, also? I've been monitoring the rotor temps and they now run about the same, side to side.

[snowman22]

You shouldn't need to replace the other side, but servicing it properly would be a good idea. Most likely it was a sticking caliper pin on the failed side and the other will do the same if it's not cleaned and re-greased properly.

[tthomasgmc]

Pins where all good. Pretty sure it was the caliber. I've had the calibers off and maintenanced a couple of times in the past year, while doing other front end work. I just changed both front hubs less than a month ago.

[Rambos_Ride]

Should i replace the caliber on the other side, also?

Meh - at this point, unless you're in a nice toasty garage and have the extra time and money...if it aint broke don't fix it!

[tthomasgmc]

What's a normal operating temp for the rotors or what's considered to hot? I know it's going to very on conditions.

[dangerfield69]

When I change calipers I do both sides, the other one will pile up at the most inconvenient time. I've seen a caliper lock up to the point the vehicle couldn't be driven.