Question regarding brakes on a car - troubleshooting
 

Having a hard time/wanting a second opinion regarding an issue my wife is having with the brakes on her car (2005 Malibu, btw). Long story short, once her car has been driven a bit (i.e. warmed up) the car starts pulling to one side and the drivers side brake gets very very hot. I know this because once driven around for a while stressing the brakes, the passenger side brake rotor reads around 200°F and the driver side reads over 540°F and the passenger side caliper reads 139°F and the driver side is 248°F. So, this tells me the drivers side brake is most likely stuck and not releasing. So, I purchase a new caliper and replace the driver's side caliper. I bleed the brakes and take it for a drive. The problem almost seems worse as when I get home, the drivers side caliper is now smoking it has gotten so hot.

So what could it be from there? The booster is obviously working and I don't believe it to be the master cylinder as that controls front and rear, not each brake independently. So this leave the ABS module...right? Anything I'm missing in this troubleshooting process? Lines are clear, each one I did flowed great when bleeding them.

Hoping for some expert opinions knowing the guys here, thanks in advance! :beerchug:

Did you check the wheel bearings for excess play?

I did not but I don't think it would be that. I don't get any wobble any other time than when the brakes have been ridden for a while to heat things up. I'm curious, though, what makes you think it could be that? At this point, I'm willing to check anything!

The rubber hose is collapsed internally (and won't release the pressure you apply with your foot) or the pads are seized in the anchors, although I'd think you would have noticed that if it was the case when you changed the caliper.

Bingo on the hose!:beerchug:

I'd bet money on the rubber hose that hooks to the caliper, I've had a few go bad over the years and they either do as you described or the brake on that side stops working​ which forces the other brake to do all the work. I would replace both, if ones bad the other probably isn't far behind.

My guess as well. I know nothing about anti lock brakes but I'd think if there was a malfunction, your dash light would pop on.

Any way to test the hose going bad? And it's not the pads seized in the anchors, those were very free to move.

No dash lights on this problem :bash:

Probably a hose as others have said but loose wheel bearings can allow the wheel to tip and rub against the pads. Also check to see if the brake pedal is returning all the way.

Best way to test the hose is replacement. They aren't that much. You can try this too.

Remove the wheel apply the brake, release, then open the bleeder. If fluid squirts out under pressure, the hose is acting like a check valve.