problem in need of some help

[johannes_kauai]

ok i went wheeling yesterday in some small mud pits and on the ride back i noticed the jeep was swaying to the left alot. after getting home i noticed the driver side front wheel was very hot. what could cause this? i was thinking alignment what do u think?

[D2T]

siezed brake caliper?

[Raven77]

x2

[johannes_kauai]

would that create swaying???

[johannes_kauai]

wat is needed to fix it?

[Raven77]

well if it seized then it would pull the jeep to one side because it would lock up. and if it did you would need to rebuild it or replace it.

[johannes_kauai]

well if it seized then it would pull the jeep to one side because it would lock up. and if it did you would need to rebuild it or replace it.

would it also create the heat on the wheel?

[Raven77]

well if the caliper locked up in a partial closed potion all it is doin is rubbig so it would cause heat

[RedRagTop]

I work for an automotive supplier in Detroit (we are the biggest brake manufacturer in the world!!)... I would agree with the above post mentioning a siezed caliper - there is a piston which pushes your brake pad to the rotor, if mud managed to sieze the piston in the extended position it could cause a pull and excessive heat.

A quick fix could be to take a power washer to the caliper and rotor. You may want to jack the corner and remove the wheel to get a good view of the wheel end. Take a good look at the caliper, see if anything looks "odd" or corroded.

Also - make sure you remove all the dried up mud from the "fins" or vents in the rotor. These vents are necessary to cool the rotor. It wouldn't hurt to do this to both (or all) rotors. Hot rotors mean brake fade, which means crashing you rig.

Hope this helps!!!

[chef]

Also possible the unitbearings are shot if it was soupy mud. Had a bearing go south on my Karmann Ghia and it locked up the corner and heated up right nice.

[lessthanchris1]

happened to me going to CT to pick up wheels. Definately caliper. sucks.


Chris