Front Driver Side Brakes keep locking

[PixelLimbo]

I have a 2006 Nissan Maxima that has the Front Driver Side Brake System that keeps locking up. It has been fixed several times but after a few days it starts back up again. The longer I drive the vehicle, the hotter the rotor will become. I have had it where the rotor has smoke come off it cause of the rubbing issue. This was a day after it was fixed at the place I bought the vehicle at (family owned dealership/mechanic shop).

I was told the caliper was sticking, got it fixed but after some time it started grinding against the rotor. The issue is starting all over again but now it sounds like the car needs steering fluid but that is full. Not sure if this is related but I have had issues where the steering wheel would vibrate violently. This stopped once the front driver brakes started to grind.

[centralcoaster33]

Hi and welcome to NICO Club!

Does your car have an ABS system? There could be an issue with the ABS cylinders... Also, did you install (or have installed) a brand new, unused, brake caliper on the front driver's side?

You should get this fixed soon. Brakes are important!

[PixelLimbo]

Hi and welcome to NICO Club!

Does your car have an ABS system? There could be an issue with the ABS cylinders... Also, did you install (or have installed) a brand new, unused, brake caliper on the front driver's side?

You should get this fixed soon. Brakes are important!

I haven't seen a light for ABS come on before but I will check that out next time I get in the vehicle. Also for the past two times it has happened a brand new brake caliper is installed along with new brakes as they get shaved down.

Also a new problem has come up. When turning the steering wheel after starting the car it will have a little kick back when I turn it far enough. This stops after driving for a little time but it does get annoying.

[centralcoaster33]

New calipers don't keep getting stuck. It takes years of abuse to get those things messed up. I'm leaning towards you do have ABS and that is what you need to get fixed. Check out the FSM in our Service Manuals link at the top of the page. You'll find a chapter all about your cars brakes in there and how to diagnose and service or replace your ABS cylinders/ sensors.

I'm not sure what kickback means, I'll just assume that is it unusual behavior. Check the color and top off your power steering reservoir for now and monitor the issue. I'm pretty sure it takes ATF, not power steering fluid. Check your FSM or owner's manual.

[PixelLimbo]

What I mean kickback is when I turn the steering wheel to the left, it will sometimes bump to the right a little but only when I turn far enough.

Also my vehicle does have ABS as the light was on. Including this light, I also have a Slip, Service Engine Soon, VDC Off (can't seem to turn VDC on) and Brake warning lights are currently on.

[centralcoaster33]

Oh, for the bump in steering, you might have something messed up with your bushings or a loose ball joint maybe. That might require being up on a rack for an inspection.

You have a check engine light on, that means you have codes available from the ECU. Get an OBD-II scanner and scan your car's computer for codes. Please report back your findings.

Okay, you have ABS then. Have you or your repair guys bothered to diagnose that using the FSM? The ABS and slip lights, if they stay on while the engine is on (longer than a couple seconds), then you are supposed to 'self diagnose' the ABS actuator and the ABS control unit. This is in the BRC chapter of the FSM... which you (or your mechanic) need to be using.

[PixelLimbo]

I just wanted to update and mark the thread as resolved since the problem has been fixed.

Oh, for the bump in steering, you might have something messed up with your bushings or a loose ball joint maybe. That might require being up on a rack for an inspection.

You have a check engine light on, that means you have codes available from the ECU. Get an OBD-II scanner and scan your car's computer for codes. Please report back your findings.

Okay, you have ABS then. Have you or your repair guys bothered to diagnose that using the FSM? The ABS and slip lights, if they stay on while the engine is on (longer than a couple seconds), then you are supposed to 'self diagnose' the ABS actuator and the ABS control unit. This is in the BRC chapter of the FSM... which you (or your mechanic) need to be using.

Unfortunately I was never able to aquire an OBD-II Scanner and no idea what is the FSM. I had taken the vehicle to Brakes Plus and found the issues. The reason why the Front Driver Side Brakes kept locking was actually pretty simple. Somehow the brake line that sent pressurized brake fluid to the break caliper melted and none, if any, fluid was getting to the caliper. Supposedly a fire also took place but I personally think the caliper and rotor were just getting so hot it appeared to be a fire there. I don't see how a fire could take place there without harming the wheel itself.

The shaking steering wheel was diagnosed from a worn out rack and pinion rod. Fluids were leaking from the part, thus causing the steering to be affected.

After getting it fixed, the tired has stopped getting hot and I can turn the steering wheel without any problems.

[centralcoaster33]

Wow, that is some kind of messed up stuff. I'm surprised it wasn't caught sooner, especially the melted brake line. Anyway, I'm very glad to hear you're up and running safely again. I'm also thankful for your feedback and progress update. Maybe it can help someone else save some time or money in the future.