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Front Driver side wheel problem

Sent to Car Experts September 30 08:52 PM

Sometimes after a drive the front driver side wheel smokes and smells like burned rubber. After checking I notice that the calipers and rotor were very hot. I splashed some water and it evaporated immediately. Any ideas what the problem could be, and how to troubleshoot it?

 

Optional Information:
1999 Infiniti QX4

Already Tried:
I am thinking of replacing both front calipers and pads.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
September 30 8:59 PM (7 minutes and 1 second later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

For some reason you have a brake staying applied. This can be due to a sticking piston in the caliper, slide pins that are seized in one position, a bad rubber flex hose that's restricting fluid return internally and if it's happening to more than one wheel, a bad master cylinder.

You need to get it in a locked position and remove the wheel. Crack the bleeder open and see if that releases it. If it does not, the proble nis in the caliper.

Also be advised that splashing water on a hot rotor will make it warp so that should be changed also.



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Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2716 Car Accepts
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Reply
September 30 9:25 PM (25 minutes and 49 seconds later)
         
Reply to Hammer Time's Post: Could you provide a little more iformation about cracking the bleeder. Assuming it does release the caliper, what then if it doesn't should I change both calipers or just one. Also, the problem seems to be related to only one wheel.
As far as splahing water, since it was raining I figured no harm donel, I'll keep an eye open for any warping.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 30 9:29 PM (3 minutes and 35 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Don't say no harm done. Cold water on hot metal warps it. The rain could have done it also.

If opening the bleeder releases it. replace the rubber flex hose. Regardless of what you find, you are going to have to replace the pads and rotors due to the damage of the high temps.

If the problem turns out to be in the caliper, replace both calipers, rotors and pads.



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Hammer Time -- L1 Master Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2716 Car Accepts
ASE Mastertech with Adv level Engine performance cert.
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