Why is my Left Front brake dragging/sticking and overheating even after new caliper, pads, and rotor?
Asked by Don Jul 06, 2016 at 05:41 PM about the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I`m having what sounds like the same exact problem described in another
Malibu brake issue, with my 2005 Malibu Maxx. ONLY on the left front. The
wheel first started getting too hot causing a burning smell. I can change my
own brake pads/rotors but by no means am I an expert. My first thought for
the problem was the caliper sticking, and needing replacement. The brakes
seemed to drag. I replaced the caliper. The pads and rotor were still under
warranty so I changed those as well since the new parts were free. Also
bled the front brakes only. Thought it was fixed but a few days later, the
problem still happened on a warm day. Most noticeable on a warm outside
temp day. In the early AM driving to work when it`s 60 degrees out, the
problem won`t happen, no overheating. Yet driving home from work at 5PM
when it`s 75 degrees out, the left front wheel gets red hot and feels like the
brake is sticking. Today driving home it was 87 degrees out, and not only a
smell, but the feeling of the left front rotor pulsing a little as when rotors
become worn. When I got home, the left front wheel was so hot, I couldn`t
even touch it more than a second or two. I`ve changed everything but that
hose that supplies the brake fluid. I`m desperate and willing to change that
hose, I`ve changed everything else. I`ve never changed one. Difficult? I`m
sure you must bleed the brakes after. Do all 4 wheels/brakes need to be
bled? And is it something that could affect fluid flow on the opposite right
front wheel.....requiring that hose to be changed too? Thanks so much for
advice.
15 Answers
Well the symptom you describe is usually an old caliper where the pistons are sticking and not releasing the pads all the way- then I thought, maybe a warped rotor? but since you have replaced ALL this all I can think of is whatever weirdness is involved with ABS- antilock braking systems- as if the work wasn't hard enough BEFORE- good luck-
firebird338 answered 8 years ago
Yes the brake hose could be causing your problem also. Not hard to change you already had one end of the brake hose off the one going to the caliper the other end screws into a metal brake line just spray some WD40 or PB blaster where it screws into metal line and use a line wrench to loosen and remove. Brake fluid will only drip out giving you enough time to replace with new hose before brake fluid becomes empty in the master cylinder. As long as brake fluid is in the master cylinder and you get new hose on before it all drips out ( you definitely should be able to replace before it all drips out because it drips slow ) you just have to bleed the caliper to the hose you replaced.
firebird338 answered 8 years ago
Also forgot to mention it is best to replace brake hoses in pairs. Change them both.
s anyoner resolved this issue with just calipers and hoses?
some reason my whole post didnt run. we have same issue on our shop. weve did calipers rotors hoses and pads. same issue still there. suspect BPMV brake pressure mod valve. has anyone resolved this issue with just hoses and calipers?
I have the same problem on my right front. I’ve replaced the hoses, calipers, rotors, brakes, abs, master booster and cylinder. Always worse on a hot day. The only thing I haven’t changed is the hard lines under the car.
Yup, it was the brake fluid hose that supplies brake fluid to the brake unit.
I had the same problem and turns out it was the rubber line going to the caliper replaced that and all is good with all the pressure you have to wonder how the line collapses and won't release the fluid
Gdolliver it must be a give and take relationship on the fluid i guess. i have an 02 malibu and the piston in my LF caliper is sticking after i brake for the first time while i motion. also experience abs kicking in first time braking after car has been sitting for a bit. it sticks so bad that the car stays put while sitting on an incline in neutral with e brake off . im hoping new lines for both sides will correct this issue.
@Chris did you replace your brake lines yet ?
Yup... The hose is probably clogged or collapsed. I ran into the same problem myself on an 05 LS, replaced the hose and now the caliper actually releases again. It caused the inner pad to wear down completely and destroyed the caliper since it would never release, instead it just kept extending past the point of no return. I couldn't even get air through it with an air chuck after removal
The rubber hoses that connect into the caliper from the brake line have metal brackets on them when you buy them. Sometimes you have to bend the brackets so the rubber line moves freely inside them. If not this can cause hose to bind and your brakes to stick on driver and passenger side. Took about 500 dollars in replacing parts before we found out what was causing it.
Iam having this very issue with a 2006 Malibu Maxx Both front brake hoses have been changed 2 brand new calipers. Two weeks have passed and caliper started sticking again today. Iam stumped.
Same thing is happenning to me. Left side on the driver side. I changed the caliper twice and the second time I had to change the pads and the disc. On hot days are worse and even smoke comes out of my breaks after driving 5-10 mins. What was the solution for you guys?
The problem was the hose, as has been said before. The caliper had been replaced. The system appeared to bleed satisfactorily, but the brake still dragged, and overheated smoking hot after just 3 miles. When the hose was removed from the caliper, no fluid came out. Gravity should have let fluid flow. That indicated the hose was clogged. That surprised me. I had not seen that kind of problem ever before. New hose put on. Filled the master cylinder reservoir. Opened the bleed screw and pumped new fluid through the line and caliper. Without touching the brake pedal, fluid continued to drip out of the bleed screw when open. That told me the fluid path was open. Finished bleeding procedure and it's good to go. I also changed the passenger side hose just in case. I suspect some kind of inferior hose was used. Hope the new ones are better.
