Break shimmy, dust & heat.

[Pmb2685]

Anyone...
I have been noticing for a few weeks that my passenger front rim is collecting a considerable amount of break dust on it. I have heard a little bit of intermittent squealing as well but nothing constant. I just had the car parked for a week while I was away and drove it for the first time again tonight. After maybe 5 minutes of driving I noticed a shimmy in the steering wheel. Upon slowing down and parking I noticed a "hot" break odor, and I could feel the heat radiating off of the rim as well as hear the break popping. I am fairly good with routine maintenance but besides replacing rotors and pads I don't have a whole lot of experience with breaks.

Any ideas of what could be wrong? Warped pads, Seized calipers, etc??? I really don't know where to start and what to look for or try so I would appreciate any ideas or opinions.

Thanks...

[HSV-Dan]

I would look first to the seized piston in the calper, or sticking in the bushings between the inner and outer calpers halves. Sounds like thing are constanly rubbing.

If you can replace the rotor, you can install a rebuilt caliper easily. That would address either cause.

[Pmb2685]

Thanks for the tip.. If it is a seized caliper can I lube it with Lithium grease or something or is it something that just needs to be replaced? And what might that cost if you have any idea, (I can do the work but have not really priced calipers before)?

Thanks again!

[HSV-Dan]

If it's the piston, I think you can get a rebuild kit(too much work in my book), if it's the slide pins, the grease may work for a while.
Call the major auto chains for prices, they have the calipers, I don't know $$...

[Pmb2685]

I ended up purchasing new rotors and pads for all four corners and a new caliper for the front right corner. After replacing the one caliper I know obviously I have to bleed that brake line.. Do I have to bleed the rest of the brakes as well or not?

[HSV-Dan]

Calipers fail when the pistons 'freeze' or rust in place, This is caused by not flushing the fluid. Brake fluid absorbs water over time. You should flush all corners until clean fluid comes through, wich will use a full liter or quart of new fluid.

When you are doing this amount of work, best to do it all. And, do this every two or three years to prevent this from happening again.