Discussion
Any suggestions as to what might be causing a back wheel/hub/brake to get hot on my 2009 Octavia?
The caliper has been changed twice thinking it was that binding and causing it to get hot, and the garage reckons the hand brake cable isn't hanging up. Plus there doesn't seem to be any more brake dust building up on that wheel than the other side which I'd expect if it's binding.
The wheel seems to get hot and then start squealing, so I'm assuming something expands and causes something else to rub. When it squeals putting the brake on stops the squealing.
Could a problem in the hub cause it to heat up slowly (takes about 20 minutes of 60mph or so to get hot) but not cause enough drag to be noticeable when the car's jacked up with the wheel cold and it seems to turn freely?
It's booked in with a local garage next week but they had a look at it a few weeks ago and couldn't find anything wrong other a bit of crud in the brake fluid which they flushed through. Tempted to nip up the dual carriageway on the way to the garage to see if I can arrive there with it hot, but might not get enough speed up at rush hour.
The caliper has been changed twice thinking it was that binding and causing it to get hot, and the garage reckons the hand brake cable isn't hanging up. Plus there doesn't seem to be any more brake dust building up on that wheel than the other side which I'd expect if it's binding.
The wheel seems to get hot and then start squealing, so I'm assuming something expands and causes something else to rub. When it squeals putting the brake on stops the squealing.
Could a problem in the hub cause it to heat up slowly (takes about 20 minutes of 60mph or so to get hot) but not cause enough drag to be noticeable when the car's jacked up with the wheel cold and it seems to turn freely?
It's booked in with a local garage next week but they had a look at it a few weeks ago and couldn't find anything wrong other a bit of crud in the brake fluid which they flushed through. Tempted to nip up the dual carriageway on the way to the garage to see if I can arrive there with it hot, but might not get enough speed up at rush hour.
Really sounds like brake binding.
Try getting hold of an infrared thermometer and compare the two discs. As magpie said it could be the Flexi.
Could also be something really bizarre like an abs pump issue but unlikely.
If the wheel bearing is that bad it should be obvious jacking it up and wobbling and spinning the wheel. If it wobbles it's loose which could cause rubbing then heat then binding, if it's harder to spin than the other side then either bearing or disc is dragging.
Find a better garage.
Try getting hold of an infrared thermometer and compare the two discs. As magpie said it could be the Flexi.
Could also be something really bizarre like an abs pump issue but unlikely.
If the wheel bearing is that bad it should be obvious jacking it up and wobbling and spinning the wheel. If it wobbles it's loose which could cause rubbing then heat then binding, if it's harder to spin than the other side then either bearing or disc is dragging.
Find a better garage.
Edited by Automaton on Monday 29th August 11:21
Automaton said:
Find a better garage.
When it went in a month ago it was an intermittent problem they couldn't replicate, it now seems to be occurring a lot more frequently so hopefully they can find it. Agree I'd have expected a bearing problem to be detectable at that point.The caliper's been replaced twice (by different garages) but the return pipe suggestion is interesting. However wouldn't a binding brake mean a lot more brake dust building up on that side?
It really can only be either the brake dragging or the bearing on its way out.
Left field but most unlikely, could there be an issue with the traction control system or yaw control or similar, these system apply different brakes to correct a slipping wheel, i suggest this because a couple of Prado owners have had similar issues causing one front brake to be applied on certain corners (handy that) and all of us must have noticed how quickly rear pads can wear on some cars that are spiritedly driven...if its not the wheel bearing and everything to do with the rear brake is free running (and the discs are good?) then maybe removing the fuse or otherwise disabling the various traction controls temporarily and see if the brake still heats up might be an option.
One other thought, this isn't the drum inside disc design of park brake is it? in those designs the park brake is nothing at all to do with the rear disc and caliper and even if sticking badly very little brake dust will escape from the drum, if it is the drum inside disc type then my money would be on the park brake.
Left field but most unlikely, could there be an issue with the traction control system or yaw control or similar, these system apply different brakes to correct a slipping wheel, i suggest this because a couple of Prado owners have had similar issues causing one front brake to be applied on certain corners (handy that) and all of us must have noticed how quickly rear pads can wear on some cars that are spiritedly driven...if its not the wheel bearing and everything to do with the rear brake is free running (and the discs are good?) then maybe removing the fuse or otherwise disabling the various traction controls temporarily and see if the brake still heats up might be an option.
One other thought, this isn't the drum inside disc design of park brake is it? in those designs the park brake is nothing at all to do with the rear disc and caliper and even if sticking badly very little brake dust will escape from the drum, if it is the drum inside disc type then my money would be on the park brake.
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