friction noise at low speed drivers front

[gwoods]

I am 99% sure I have a dragging drivers front brake caliper.

I can hear a friction noise at slow speeds and my brakes don't feel as strong as they did. I also have a lot more brake dust on my drivers front wheel.

Now I have never ever changed the brake fluid. And it still looks like new, I know it can absorb water and you may not be able to see the absorbed water.

Do you guys think bleeding the brakes could fix the dragging caliper?

[biggie]

First just make sure the pads and rotor are good.

If so, jack it up on the front and try to spin the wheel with your hand, if its hard to spin the piston(s) are locked, not sure if that'd be covered under any warranty, but doubt it.

[gwoods]

oh I am off warranty.

I did last week and it spins a little harder then the passenger side. The extra brake dust is what is making me think its a dragging caliper.

I'm just wondering if a bleed/fluid change could fix it. Anyone ever fixed a dragging caliper by changing their brake fluid?

[Poyzinous]

Drive for about a half hour, then place your hand on the center of the wheel, around the center cap. If it is significantly hotter than the other side, the caliper is probably bad. Otherwise, you may need a new hub and bearing.

[tollboothwilley]

Bleed your brake fluid anyways. It won't take that long and I'm sure that the way you drive it you have absorbed water into the fluid. You can just bleed out ~12 inches of the line and you'll probably have flushed out most, if not all the absorbed water.

DOT3 is ok but you should consider swapping to ATE Super Blue brake fluid. 534* fluid boiling point, much better at resisting water and last longer. Fluid sucks when cold but under normal conditions is great, and when hot on the track is superb.

Do what Poyz said to check and see if caliper is sticking. best way to test it.

[gwoods]

I drove about 15 miles got out and touched drives and passenger side wheel/hub/caliper they are the same temp but the drivers side smells HOT.

I'm still going to bleed the brakes 72 k miles is really soon for caliper to fail.

The Caliper is $50 the hub/bearing is $229 yikes

[gwoods]

It is the wheel bearing/hub assembly.

I took it all apart the hub turns with difficulty and there is a lot of metallic dust around the bearing area.

Looking for a replacement. Car Quest has it for $184 if they can get one takes 4 days.

I'll check the dealership tomorrow.