Fire on the wheel

1993 MERCURY TOPAZ
34,200 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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KENNYSTOY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
1993 Mercury Topaz , right front wheel area got hot and melted away the plastic dust shield and scorched tie rod and balljoint rubber boots. What caused this? Inside of wheel got hot enough to melt rubber ,or whatever wheel has for a coating
on it.
Brakes or wheel bearing ?
Kenny
Feb 26, 2011 at 2:18 PM
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RASMATAZ
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 75,992 POSTS
Caliper piston could have seized-up-Check here 1st then wheel bearings
Feb 26, 2011 at 2:26 PM
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FIXITMR
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,990 POSTS
sounds like your brakes are rubbing hard! usually it's the rubber brake hose from fender to caliper. the bracket clamp rusts on the inside and squeezes hose shut. fluid can be forced thru from pedal side but cant get back.
Feb 26, 2011 at 3:41 PM
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KENNYSTOY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
My son's car , he did say that it acted like brakes were holding him back but he drove on!
Feb 26, 2011 at 3:42 PM
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KENNYSTOY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It is free now but what to do to prevent again?
Feb 26, 2011 at 5:27 PM
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FIXITMR
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,990 POSTS
it's really a rare thing for any 1 car. just inform son that if he smells burning and brakes/car are acting funny to stop and check it out?
Feb 27, 2011 at 6:13 PM
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