? Brakes or other Front end 06 Caravan SXT 3.3L

[James]

Wife came home last night in her 06 caravan complaining of a funny smell of her van. Upon initial look, it appeared to smell a little like brakes or at least a like something hot near her front tires, more so on her Drivers side. I jacked the van up and turned the front wheels they appear to “drag” slightly turning together but I cant tell if it is abnormal or just normal resistance turning with the training and CV axles.
Driving down the road it does not grab or pull or venture to one side. I drove down to the local parts shop and picked up an infrared thermometer. With frequent stops on the way there after 2 -3 miles, both rotors measured about 190 degrees F. I then drove it about 8-10 miles with stopping not highway. When I got home, both rotors measured approximately 220 degrees F. Drums were about 100 degrees F. Again, no pulling or significant slowing when letting of the accelerator. CV boots appeared good. I didn’t notice anything on the bearings but cant say I looked but with both rotors being the same temp, i cant say that I was concerned on that. No codes or anything else. Also I didn’t smell the smell again either. Rotors are carbon with ceramic brakes from the Duralast Gold Series. Rotors appear good, changed not that long ago. They do have a slightly redish tent in the light tracks like they could of got hot but that may be brake material, i don’t know.

Is 200 degrees F too hot for carbon rotors? If so what would cause both rotors to be hotter or both calipers to drag ever so slightly? Not enough to slow vehicle more than normal with coasting. Any other ideas?

I am considering re-siliconing the caliper glide pins and watching and seeing. Don’t want to just hang parts in the words of Eric O. but also don’t want to be unsafe. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Topic

[college man]

The more you stop the more rotors will heat up. A 60 mph stop can make rotor temps go
to 150-250 deg. A caliper will have a slight drag. If you drove the vehicle for a mile or so
and then stopped the rotor temps would be lower. I would check wheel temp. you should be
able to touch the wheel with the driving scenario. If the wheels are boiling hot then a caliper
is dragging.

[James]

Understand, will try and report. Have not been able to get back to it due to work. My wife drove it 1 twenty mile trip, no smell. Drove it same trip home and the smell started about 18 miles in. Stronger on drivers side. Both rotors were about 350 degrees when she pulled in but stated she had hit brakes. What is throwing me off is that it is both front wheels although stronger on drivers side. Would a master cylinder cause a problem like this? I wheel try the wheel temps. Also checked training fluid. It is bright red clean.

[Author]

Replies