Sticky brake caliper

[Patrick Bateman]

Any quick fixes/damage limitation advice until I can get it in the garage? (I need the car to drive to work this week).

Been hearing a squeaking noise for the past week or so from the car but only noticed on the journey home from work today that the fuel economy was going all to st. Figured a sticky caliper and when I got out the car the front left wheel was like a radiator on full blast without being that close to it.

I'm assuming this is a sticky brake caliper, I trust it wouldn't be anything else?

[jbi]

Brake caliper or wheel bearing on the way out.

You can rebuild calipers with a kit and is usually a fair bit cheaper than a new one.

[Patrick Bateman]

Could I get away with driving it this week or is it best not to?

Another 150 miles total to do driving to work and back.

[thinfourth2]

jbi said:

Brake caliper or wheel bearing on the way out..

while a bearing can reach a higher temperature then a brake disc they don't tend to do it for longer then a few seconds before failing spectacularly

[Liquid Knight]

Depends on the car in question. It could be a stretched or knackered spring not returning the rear shoes.

[Patrick Bateman]

Liquid Knight said:

Depends on the car in question. It could be a stretched or knackered spring not returning the rear shoes.

Rear shoes?

It's the front left wheel.

[ikarl]

Mate, think about it....it's your brakes.

Is it really worth risking driving another 150 miles? it's not only your life you're risking!

[Patrick Bateman]

ikarl said:

Mate, think about it....it's your brakes.

Well that's why I'm asking, what are the consequences of a sticky caliper? Apart from the obvious disc getting hot.

[NateWM]

You could warp the disc, ruin the pads, all sorts.

Either leave the car alone until you can get it fixed, or be a home mechanic and try and free up the caliper abit by yourself...It's not hard.

[dooosuk]

Wind the caliper in and out a few times to try and free it off.

I wouldn't drive it...potential for a much bigger bill than just a caliper replacement (pads, discs, etc)