Front wheel hot & smokin!

[mikejpss]

Took my 81 for a spin around the neighborhood, upon return of the 5 mile trip I noticed the pass. front wheel well had slight smoke coming from it. Touching the wheel center cap indicated heat, but when I spat on the rotor it steamed. Doing the same hi tech test to the driver side rotor proved it to be cool as a cucumber.

Last month I noticed brake fluid on the inside tire of the pass. side. Is the smoke problem as obvious as it seems, that is, the caliper has failed and rides the rotor generating the heat- OR- is the smoke an indication of a bad wheel bearing?

I know theres tons of knowledge/experience here on this forum. Thats why I came here to ask before I take the jack and tools out the shed. Thanks for any and all inputs.
Happy Thankgsgiving to all , and especially to our troops in harms way.
Mike J.

 

[Nitronick]

Sounds to me like the rubber in the brake line going to the caliper has swelled up enough to keep pressure applied. I have had to replace the lines on several different GM cars, trucks and school buses!
One way to check for sure is to start the car and apply the brakes several times. You may even need to take her for a short spin. Put a jack under that corner and raise it just enough so you can spin the wheel/tire. If everything is ok, the wheel should spin freely. If the line is swollen, it should be difficult to turn.
One more thing. If that is the problem, you will want to change the lines on both sides. If one is swollen, it won't be too long before the other side has the same problem.

 

[Vette/Berlina-coupe]

-yes, this is a favorite of nefarious brake-shops...

-dido, -is most likely what nick has ably analyzed for you, but if not that then look to the Caliper-seals binding! This internally-ruptured brake-hose condition is a favorite of crooked Brake-shops, who especially if the person is on a trip (and can't just drive home a few blocks carefully to think about getting another opinion), has the family packed in the car and all, will convince the unknowing victim that they need a rotor, new seals, pads, and anything else they can think of; --generally comming to around $700, instead of simply replacing the inexpensive brake-hoses (hey, -the shop-proprietor has kids to feed and taxes to pay, -so what's the problem with his screwing a customer he'll likely never see again, --the rat tells himself!).... ~Bob vH