Too hot to touch

[Italchic]

So if the grease caps on the front rotor hubs are too hot to the touch after driving, does sthat mean that my front wheel bearings need repacked, am I going to burn them up?

[azruss]

depends on what else is too hot to touch. most severe heat is brought on by dragging brake pads. It would be weird if the grease cap is the only thing warm. If you had dry bearings that would create heat, the rotor hub would be hot and you would get lots of noise out of the bearings.

[Italchic]

The wheel itself is also pretty warm along with the hubcap. I did have some pulling to the left and I thought that I had loosened the dragging pad, possibly not?

[RRoller123]

If you just changed pads and/or rotors, it is common that they take a short while to set in. The rotors should be cleaned with brake cleaner before install even though they look and may feel clean. Ask me how I learned this. <{:^( It takes awhile to set the pads and the slight dragging will generate a lot of heat. On mine, I jacked up the car and spun the wheel and got about 3 rotations initially. The hubs got hot until the pads set, and I am positive that the bearings are properly tightened. Now after driving around the hub is cool and the wheel will spin many cycles freely.

[Italchic]

Actually I did not install any new pads or rotors, just cleaned and a little brake lube. I do have some friction between the pad and rotor but I understand this is normal.

[GeorgeT]

I do have some friction between the pad and rotor but I understand this is normal.

I don't think the brakes should drag at all. The front wheels should freely spin when off the ground.

[RRoller123]

They set very quickly and most probably it isn't noticed. But in this case the pads and rotor were not changed so it is something else. Correct that there should be no drag. Sticking caliper?

[giuliot60]

Any resolution Italchic?

[So Cal Mark]

all of the parts connected to the brakes will absorb heat, but dragging brakes are rarely cured by spraying brake lube on them