Hot Brakes
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Colman SD
Hot Brakes
On my 2000 C5 I recently changed the front pads and rotor. When installing the caliper over the rotor in went on very hard. I drove it yesterday about 15 miles and noticed the front brakes where hot. Is this normal for new pads. Also getting black residue on my wheels. Thanks Namvette Derald.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,036
Likes: 9,798
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Were you able to get the pistons retracted all the way? With new pads there will be a tight fit with the pistons retracted all the way but as long as the caliper is lined up with the rotor it shouldn't be too hard to put it on. If you had a lot of difficulty slipping the caliper and pads over the rotor and the brake pads are getting hot just driving along the caliper may be sticking or the pads are too thick.
Bill
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,891
Likes: 4
From: North Port Fl
They should not be that tight. You might have a stuck caliper piston. Even with brand new pads the caliper should go on easily, just make sure the piston (or pistons) is pushed all the way in, then put on the pads and it should drop right on.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Lampasas Texas
caliper or line
Just for your piece of mind...
Jack the car up until the tire clears the ground. Turn the tire by hand. If it does not turn or drags, then I would check to see if the caliper is sticking. The problem will most likely be a bad caliper or a bad brake line.
Brake lines sometimes go bad from the inside. A piece of the inside line can partly break loose and cause the brake fluid to flow in only one direction. This will prevent the caliper from releasing fully. In effect, it makes a one way valve.
Jack the car up until the tire clears the ground. Turn the tire by hand. If it does not turn or drags, then I would check to see if the caliper is sticking. The problem will most likely be a bad caliper or a bad brake line.
Brake lines sometimes go bad from the inside. A piece of the inside line can partly break loose and cause the brake fluid to flow in only one direction. This will prevent the caliper from releasing fully. In effect, it makes a one way valve.
