Intermittent overheating on one brake
 

Ever since I installed my winter tires (on OEM wheels) my brakes have been overheating intermittently. First day I got the tires, I was in stop and go traffic, then when I reached about 50kmph for the first time, I started feeling heavy vibration that disappeared after I slowed down. So I shrugged it off as a tire balancing issue. Brought them back, got them balanced again.

From Thursday until Saturday, everything went fine. Today I drove for about 20minutes then right as I'm about to arrive at my destination I feel the car shake. We assumed it was the road since it happened so abruptly. When we left, it happened again except it sounded like I had a flat tire. We stop, check tire pressure everything is fine. Nothing looks fishy yet.

We resume again, get on the highway, everything is fine. Get off the highway onto the service road and it happens again, it shakes but no "flat tire" sound. We stop in a parking and inspect the car. There's smoke coming out of the rear right wheel well. There's slight discoloration on the rotor on bottom part, the one attached with bolts. No issues with the discs, they're not warped.

What could the issue be? I have driven multiple times longer distances without issues since I first experienced the issue. It seems really random. I replaced the pads and rotors in September.

https://imgur.com/a/5SecrGk

Well, if I had to guess, I would guess that the caliper on the right rear wheel is sticking.

I'd suggest you have it inspected and replaced if necessary.

I'd do that sooner than later.


humfrz

I will have my brother inspect it on Tuesday at his work, but I'm concerned for now. I added an image of the one that was smoking.

OK, but, between now and when your brother does the inspection, I'd suggest you not drive the car unless its necessary.

After you drive it to your brothers work, after you arrive, I'd check all the rims and or calipers to see it that one is hotter than the rest.


humfrz

I'd also in beginning of drive would try to drive at lower speeds in 1st & 2nd gear (for noises to not drown in louder engine/road/tire noise at speed) with windows down, sometimes one can hear when one of brakes drags.

Did you take the wheels off and inspect yet? Check BOTH sides and make sure none of the brake lines are bent or crushed or pinched or anything.

I did not have a chance to take the wheel off yet. My work is less than 3km away, so I walked to work today. I had a small errand to run last night and when I drove, there was a sound from the rear passenger side as if something got dislodged. I am suspecting something may have been between the brake pads and rotors.

I will have my brother check the lines tomorrow make sure they're not pinched. Last week we assumed it was a balancing issue so he probably did not check the lines when rebalancing.

Note: He did not balance and install the wheels on Wednesday, his coworkers did so I will have him check to make sure they did not touch the lines for whatever reasons.

Not with my car now, but is the E-brake inside the center working like a drum brake?
If so. stuck cable?

This happened to me the first year I owned the car in temps under 30 degrees f. E-brake sticks, stop using it if you are. See if that helps

Finally did, there was a crack in the rotor and the drum is not round anymore, it's a bit bent. I hope once it is replaced it will fix the vibration issue.

https://imgur.com/a/jJtiPJG

You will still need to check the cable as a stuck cable could have overheated the drum section and caused the crack.