My 02 GT...Stock except for cold air intake, Flowmasters w/ H-pipe. My question is why is my passenger side front wheel getting so hot? I drove it yesterday on a small cruise around 25 mi round trip. When i backed into the garage and got out i smelt something burning. I walked around the car and herd pinging coming from the right front tire. I felt the huge amount of heat coming from the rim. It got so hot that when i came back into the garage a few minutes later i noticed my center cap had popped off and was partially melted. I took the tire off and examined everything. Brake pads look brand new. Car has 51,000 mi on it. Disc turned freely. Put wheel back on and it turned free with no problem. I'm really puzzled. The car is rebuilt and i got a great deal on it. My nephew hit a curb and slid it over an embankment. It's got brand new rims on passenger side. Aftermarket 17" chrome. Does anybody have any ideas on what it could be. I have taken it out 2 more times today on small trips. 10 mi or less. no heat problems. Something is up....but i don't know what. Maybe something like the wheel bearing or parts failing because of wreck. I don't know. Seems like if it was a wheel bearing it would be making a load roaring noise. Somebody please let me know. Thank you in advance.

 

the brake caliper is sticking.

 

Yea, that'd be my guess.

 

These guys are probably right but just to be sure jack that tire off the ground and shake it around to see how much play is in it. If it's a bearing you'll know quick. I believe it's the brake though.

 

I had to buy both front calipers b/c they were both sticking although not as bad as the OP's case. That's the problem.

 

you can actually rebuild them on your work bench, no need to buy new ones.

 

had stuck caliper on my first car, stuck so bad it burned the seal right out and i had to drive home with the e brake. thank god for twin resivoir

 

Thanks everybody for your input so far. Looks like the caliper. I had to use a propane torch and 2 pliers to heat my center cap back into place. Got lucky, still looks brand new and it fits.....But i don't think it could take another round of HEAT....I'm not sure i could rebuild a caliper....Just in case i can't should i go to a dealer for original ford part or does anybody know of a good aftermarket caliper that i don't have to give my right arm with the check?

 

Just go to your local auto parts store, Napa, Auto zone, etc. They will get you the right caliper.

Lynn

 

much simpler to buy a loaded caliper lol