Hi: I recently acquired a one-owner clean-Carfax 2002 AWD RX300 with 222K miles. For past 9 years car had been maintained by a conscientious independent mechanic. New brakes installed just before it was traded in on a 2019 RX450H. Yesterday I drove 150 miles at highway speed. Stopped to get coffee and as I walked around the car became aware of heat coming from the right rear. Wheel was too hot to touch; all other wheels felt fine. No squeaks. Parking brake not mistakenly engaged. 300K miles of experience with two other RX and this never happened to me before. Likely cause? Logic suggests dragging brake pad due to error in installation or defective caliper; parking brake out of adjustment; wheel hub bearing. Suggestions as to how to rule possibilities in and out? TIA.

 

Just checked parking brake cable. Loose, not tight. Unlikely to be the cause.

 

Parking brake adjuster may be too tight. Check if the wheel is binding.
Back off the parking brake adjuster if necessary

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ml#post8243386

 

Do you have a temperature sensor? Bearing would show the middle of wheel honest and brake drag would be the clipper and parking brake would be the drum. All would cause drag. Also best time to check would be after short drive in the morning Every should be cold except the source of friction.

Salim

 

Most likely a seized caliper. In my experience with my rx the rubber guide pin boots That came with the new pads were too tight and stopped the pads from retracting.. a wheel bearing would be growling at you if its making that much heat. Parking brakes not likely. Remove the wheel and check pad wear. Is there more brake dust on that wheel?

 

Thanks; will inspect tomorrow.

 

I have removed the right rear wheel. Nothing is conspicuously irregular; the wheel is not 'frozen' due, for instance, a faulty parking brake. However, it has been a while since I have changed rear brake pads on an RX. I have removed the lower caliper bolt; does the caliper simply swing upwards around the upper bolt? Or does that bolt also have to be removed, and if so, how? Is there an allen head bolt hidden behind a rubber dust seal? TIA.

 

Disregard; I remembered the excellent thread in the DIY section.

 

Caliper defective; remanufactured pair have been ordered from RockAuto.

 

Hope it goes well. I had an issue once where I replaced the caliper and the problem remained. It turned out to be a bad brake hose.

 

Did you notice any swelling of the hose specially near the ends. Just curious how Toyota parts show visible signs.

Salim

 

That vehicle was a Hyundai. There were no visible signs of hose failure. I think it had an internal collapse that restricted backflow of fluid.
One sign was the caliper piston seemed unusually hard to retract.

 

how did you conclude it was the caliper and not the hose?