Hot Wheels

LHAYES · 08-02-1999, 04:42 AM

After breaking my faithful 70 1.7 out of mothballs this weekend I noticed my front wheels were particularly hot to the touch after a short run to the gas station and back. I had recently replaced the brake lines and put new fluid in the system. When rotating the tires by hand there is some drag resistance, more than I remember after changing the pads afew years ago. I can't locate any adjustment back off the front calipers like you can on the back. Any thoughts on a remedy?

wjdunn3 · 08-03-1999, 07:23 AM

You did not say specifically how long your car has been in storage, but I am going to assume over a year. It sounds like the brake caliper pistons are sticking. This is common among a stored vehicle that is put back into service. The first thing you need to do is replace the brake fluid with fresh fluid. Bleed out the old fluid while replacing with new fluid. Have a friend help do this by pumping the brake pedal while you open/close the bleeder valves (instead of using a vaccum bleeder). This will work the pistons a little.
With new brake fluid the pistons should free up with a little use. If you still have a problem after several hundred miles then the seals in the caliper will need to be replaced (rebuilt calipers). The Haynes manual describes a method you can try to free up the pistons as well. It involves removing the caliper and using compressed air and a wood block.

Another thing to check...front wheel bearings. Remove the pads from the caliper and then spin the wheel. If you feel any resistence or hear any grating/grinding then new bearings and seals are in order. Not a hard task.
Hope this helps.

[This message has been edited by wjdunn3 (edited 08-03-1999).]

Bobbitt · 08-03-1999, 09:49 AM

I agree that the brakes are probably the problem, but definately don't underestimate the wheel bearings. I was on a 800 mile road trip in a conversion van with a trailer. We made it to our destination ok, but on the way home we blew three tires. We noticed that we could not touch the wheels they were so hot. It ends up that before our trip, the owner of the van had had new brakes and bearings all around. The shop forgot to grease the wheel bearings. They heated up so much that they were causing the sidewalls of the tires to blister and blow out. Fortunately we had been racing, so we had the tools and the grease to remedy the problem. Needed new bearings when we got home, but we made it.

Bobbitt