Problem with my brakes....

Hooth

The front driver side brakes on my 98 ford taurus are overheating. It doesn't happen all the time though. It started with a bad caliper, which would get stuck and then overheat the rotor. I then replaced the caliper, the brake pads and the rotor, but the other day it happened again. I am sure it was on the same tire, as I got out and felt the heat on both sides and the driver side was significantly hotter. Any ideas on what could be causing it?

Nocren

Did you do the job yourself or take it to a shop?
Check the fluid and make sure that there's no air in the line.
If you can, check to make sure that it's even pressure on the rotor from the pads/calipers.

I'm not really a car guy but I just replaced both front brakes and rotors on my car about a week or so ago and wound up having to replace a caliper as well because it was leaking.

Hooth

I did it myself. No, there is no air in the line, but how do I check for even pressure on the rotor?

Dorkman

I am not a super car guy either, but if you replaced the caliper, rotor and pad and it is continuing to do this I would almost incline to say something is not quite right with your brake lines or something. Either they are not allow fluid to drain out of the lines or something. That is the only other thing I can think of that might cause them to remain engaged.

King Kong

When you replaced the rotor did you replace both as in the rotor on both sides and pads on both sides?

Rderdall

This could be a misleading problem. If your passenger brakes aren't working properly, then the driver's side brakes could be forced to work too hard, thus resulting in overheating.

Compare it to a canker sore in the left side of your mouth. You chew with the right side of your mouth to stop food from disturbing the canker, and the jaw muscles on the right side of your mouth get sore from doing all the work. There is nothing wrong with the right side of your jaw, but that's where the signs of the problem are seen.

Lionhart617

This is why I don't want a damn car...

THEPAIN73

Take it to a dealership and have them diag it for you.

It will cost money yes but would you rather know what's going on or would you rather rear end someone because you can't stop?

It's just like proof reading, having a second set of eyes look at something will make mistakes (if there are any) come to light.

If they price you out other crap you don't need then don't take it there, just tell them you are interested in knowing whats wrong with the brakes.

Cars take money and you have to know when to take it to someone who is trained to do this type of thing.

illig

I would also replace the brake hose on the overheating side. Its cheap and good insurance before going for a full diagnosis at a brake shop. A partially collapsed hose caused a dragging caliper and overheating on my car. While you're at it, flush the fluid too.

badpoet

Hooth wrote: »

The front driver side brakes on my 98 ford taurus are overheating. It doesn't happen all the time though. It started with a bad caliper, which would get stuck and then overheat the rotor. I then replaced the caliper, the brake pads and the rotor, but the other day it happened again. I am sure it was on the same tire, as I got out and felt the heat on both sides and the driver side was significantly hotter. Any ideas on what could be causing it?

It's possible that the brake hose is crimping up under heat. I had it happen on my 1999 Neon. Basically, the rubber becomes too weak and the side wall collapses, crimping the cable.

Beaten by illig. I'm betting that's what has been causing the problem all along. More than likely, your caliper was ruined by the heat (or maybe wasn't bad at all). It's a pretty easy job, just make sure you soak the connection to the rest of the brake line with WD-40 or a similar rust penetration product and be careful about twisting it. Make sure you bleed the brakes, per usual.