Why is my left front Barke heating up on my 2005 Dodge Caravan?

Question

I have a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with 53,000 miles on it and have a problem with the left front wheel heating up to where smoke can be seen comeing from it.

The smoke smells like hot brakes but i have taken it back to Midas to have it checked because they replaced my brake shoes 10 months and 1700 miles ago.

Midas could'nt find a thing wrong with the brakes so they told me possibly i picked up a stone or something and it worked it way out. Fine i broght the van home and parked it for a few weeks because i have a smaller car that both my wife and i use in order to save gas. "PT Crusier"

I had the occasion to use it the outher day just to make a 20 mile round trip and when i got home i could smell that the left front wheel was hot and i was'nt about to touch it.

I called Midas again today to try and find out whats going on,

The Manager said maybe it's because i'm not running the van enough now because everything looked fine when i had it in the shop a few weeks ago and all that is left to check is the caliber and hose.

I also have the extended warrenty up to 2013 or 80,000 miles bumper to bumper. Im at a loss as what to do so does anyone have any idea why my left front wheel will get hot and smoke from time to time?

I'm sorry about this question being so long and i will pick a best answer.

Thankyou in advance

Answer 1

The caliper piston may be sticking when it gets hot. Midas will have to drive the van until the brakes get hot to check if the caliper piston is sticking. Piston may not stick cold.

Answer 2

ok.. take it somewhere besides midas... apparently they're idiots.  

Your front wheel will have a disc brake w/ a caliper that clamps the pads against the rotor to stop the wheel from turning.  On occasion, if the caliper is not aligned properly it will cause one of the pads to drag against the rotor causing heat and friction.  You may not have noticed it before the pads were changed because the old pads were worn and thinner.  when you put on the new pads, they were thick enough to rub the rotor and you've got an issue.  

Should be an easy fix for any mechanic's shop.. except midas perhaps. LOL.. good luck

Answer 3

The caliper is sticking or rotor is warped.I would first bleed the brakes in the front first.Check to see if the brake pads are worn down on that side.Take the wheel off and see if you can move the rotor by hand on that side.If not then use a C-clamp to re-leave the pressure on that side just enough to allow you to move then see is it hits any place.Also when your going down the road does the van pull to the left?Did Midas do the work?If so they must fix the problem.Good Luck.

Answer 4

It's easy to blame a bad caliper for this problem, but the wheel bearing assembly could be bad as well. Sticking brakes will "usually" cause a pulling sensation to the side that is hanging during normal driving. If you have wheel covers on the van pop the left front off when the brakes/wheel is cool and take notice of any melting of the inside of the cover this will give you an indication of wheel bearing problems, if no damage, than it's probably brakes.

"Lack of use" is a poor explanation.

Answer 5

that's a caliper causing that to happen and not driving it is not whats causing it,you need to take it back in to them and have then check this,its possible one of the calipers has stuck on it,if this has happened the brake pads will have to be replaced again because heating them up like this has probably glazed them,it happens all the time though,sometimes it cant be prevented, it may have damaged  the rotor also,with them being new,i wouldnt take no chances on it,have them check both sides,if you replace one caliper do both of them as  a pair,good luck with it.