1996 Toyota Corolla Rims too hot - tire blowouts

CSCBRAVO

MEMBER
1996 TOYOTA COROLLA
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
70,000 MILES

Two months ago the front driver's side tire developed a "bubble" while driving & we made it into a parking lot before it blew. At the time we thought it was simply a tire defect & replaced the tire. (The tires are Michelin & had moderate wear, still plenty of tread left.) Yesterday the same thing happened to the passenger side front tire. This time I noticed that the tire was extremely hot to the touch & the rim & lug nuts were so hot they were untouchable. I checked the other front tire & rim & it also was very hot. I checked the two back tires & rims & they were just lightly warm, easy to touch. I am not getting any warning lights or smelling any smoke or burnt-brake smell. My question is: Is this extreme heat causing my tires to blow (they were not over inflated, I check them regularly), & if so what could be causing it?

1 Reply

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

Check the brake rotors for discoloration, bluish color. Check the pads for wear, make sure the caliper slide pins are operating and the pads are installed properly. Remove the wheel and have an assistant push on the brake (the rotor should not move) but when the brake is released the rotors should move.
Check the wheel bearings by jacking up the car, put on jackstands and grab the wheel looking for any lateral or vertical movement.

Yes heat can radiate from the brakes, but it would have to get very hot, although I would certinaly think you would hear some noise, wheather the brakes or the bearings.

The only other heat source that hot would be the exhaust (leak) but you would hear that too and I can't imagine it would effect both tires.