Rotor/pad heat?

Is my thinking correct in that rotor and pad are in constant contact (if ever so slight contact)? If I drive highway speed (65 mph) for ten miles (no braking), will the pads (front pads) still be too hot to touch with my finger tip?

Are they suppose to be somewhat hot during regular use?

thanks

 

Don’t know why you would touch your brakes with your finger. Get your finger wet to provide an insulating barrier that evaporates.

Caliper pistons with a new square cut seal retract off braking. Other things move them out as well.

excessive drag is called brake drag and symptomatic of a problem.

 

yes, I'm concerned that the piston on the RF isn't retracting, and generating excess heat/wear. So, I touched both front rotors to compare. Not very scientific, for sure.

 

if it's over 10yo rebuild the calipers. Cheap.

 

Tacomas are pretty simple, just jack up the front end and spin the tire, usually stuck calipers dont spin by hand.

There should be very little drag, they'll still be hot regardless, but a thermal gun can check for you safely.

 

The square cut seals in the caliper are what retract the pistons.
But they only retract slightly. A lot of guys think the pad spring clip retracts the pads.
But they don't. They are only there to help stop pad rattle.

The pads will get warm just driving.

I like to use an infrared thermal thermometer.
They are really cheap. Check both temps.
If one is a lot hotter then the other. Start there.

 

I'd say there can be incidental contact between the pad and rotor while in motion, but it wouldn't generate any heat or have an impact on driveline drag.

 

This morning, I lifted each tire off the ground...LF tire had just the slightest bit of drag, RF tire no drag.

I bought an infrared red thermal gun. Took a ten mile drive on the freeway and checked the rotor temps...LF (w/drag) 113 degrees, RF (no drag) 114. Turned around and came back home, and same temps. Yup , one degree less on the side with the slight drag.

So, think I should worry about my brakes and temps?

thanks for all your responses, it's appreciated.

 

You are most likely fine.