The case of the hot brakes

Wheels: Randy C. of Dayton writes via e-mail: "I have owned my 1987 Chevrolet Corvette for about 10 years; it has 140,000 miles on the odometer. I bought it from a friend who purchased it new so I know a little about the history of the car. It has been well maintained with a repaint and new interior; the engine and automatic transmission are original; it has good brake lining (70 percent) and rotors, which all have been replaced. It is a second car just to drive for fun in nice weather.

The last couple of summers when driving on a hot day - say 80 or 90 degrees, usually around 35 or 40 mph - the left front brake will apply and lock, and you can feel the car beginning to pull to the left. I stop the car and when I get out to inspect it, I can feel the heat coming from the left front brake rotor with a little smoke. I get back in the car and the brake pedal goes to the floor and the brake has released. I then have minimal braking - enough to limp home, but it is not very safe. If I let the car sit the next day the brakes are working fine. There are no ABS or brake lights coming on, so if I take the car to the shop I do not think they will find anything wrong. This has happened three or four times in the last couple of summers. Do you think I should put a new brake caliper or wheel sensor on the left front wheel? I don’ t want to replace parts that do not need it. Always enjoy reading your car advice.”