Smoking front o/s wheel

[williamweb]

So just been out for a nice drive around Exmoor and on arriving home i smelt first and then noticed smoke billowing out of the front o/s wheel area.To be honest I smelt the burning on the way home but I wasn’t switched on to it,i just closed the window 🙄.I’m going to investigate tomorrow.I’m guessing considering the calliper is 18 years old that it’s sticking and needs replacing?Any constructive comments welcome.Thanks.

[stef123]

Probsbly a seized caliper, the colour of the disc will be a good give away without touching it. 

[williamweb]

Cheers stef.I’m thinking do I give the existing calliper a clean up and a guide grease up or do I go ahead and buy a new one.

[williamweb]

Also now thinking about it I’ve a weak steering wheel vibration.Could it be a symptom of a sticking calliper? 

[stef123]

Likely that's where the vibration has originated from. I had this once in my old mk1 focus, nearside front wheel bearing was noisy, thought nothing much of it until heading home one night and I had a massive vibration from that side. Seized caliper had wiped the bearing out, by the time I stopped I had a blue brake disc from the heat.

If indeed it is caliper related, just get a new one. Front ones are cheap enough anyway. Clean up the guides too. Silicone grease is what I use for this.

[isetta]

if the disc was that hot it may have warped. I wouldn't buy anything until you have had a good look.  might need one caliper, two discs (you should not just replace one as very good chance of brake imbalance) and a set of pads.  And a bearing?

but might not be that bad.  Not much point worrying at this point how much stuff you need. needs inspection first

[williamweb]

Yeah definitely makes sense to investigate first.Didn't think about warped discs🙄I cleaned the callipers and greased the pins 2 years ago.The discs are 7 years old and maybe alittle thin👍

[mjt]

18 hours ago, williamweb said:

do I give the existing calliper a clean up and a guide grease up or do I go ahead and buy a new one

Don't waste your time cleaning the old one, it won't last. Trust me, I've been there. You will definitely have wrecked the pads and probably the disc on that side so I'd recommend replacing discs and pads on both sides to maintain brake balance as Isetta says.

[williamweb]

3 hours ago, mjt said:

Don't waste your time cleaning the old one, it won't last. Trust me, I've been there. You will definitely have wrecked the pads and probably the disc on that side so I'd recommend replacing discs and pads on both sides to maintain brake balance as Isetta says.

Done exactly that and also a calliper ordered👍Went out for a test drive  today and the front o/s disc edge was glowing.Thanks everyone for your comments.