locked front right wheel

[mounddog]

After troubleshooting some electrical starting issues, we noticed the car became very sluggish during a test drive. My friend mechanic felt it was rear or front brakes locking up. Sure enough the right front wheel was completely locked - the lugnuts were boiling hot. Put on lift and took off wheel and could feel heat radiating from a foot away. Eventually took off wheel, and caliper/pads - the pads were chewed down more on one end than the other. The brake fluid came out like water, no viscosity and was steaming. Anyhow - we replaced calipers/shoes and had the rotor turned on both left/right front wheels. Wheel spins freely - drove it no problem for 1.5 days. Yesterday noticed wisps of nasty smelling smoke coming out of the steering wheel (!) I figured some electrical problem again. Made it home ok. Today drove about 5 miles when i smelled the nasty (Nasty) stink again - and was in bumper to bumper traffic - eventually i starting seeing smoke coming from front right wheel. Noticed that very sluggish performance in car again - pulled to side street as soon as i could. As far as i could tell right front wheel locked up again. Let it sit for about 1/2 hour and made it home - but it was very sluggish last couple of miles - and i feel like ive lost a few years off my life breathing that NASTY smell! Been a crappy day. SO - my question is - what would cause brand new caliper/pads/turned rotor to lockup again. Oh yeah I forgot to mention the buick was trying to tell me something - big Red BRAKES light on dash (yes i know i know). The car seemed fine, braked fine - so didnt give it much thought (this car has had weird electrical issues so thought it was that). Other note - i notice the ABS (i think) pump thing near the master cylinder whirrs on and off quite abit when i turn off car. Also - when we were bleeding the brakes, we did notice that hte right wheel fluid did not squirt nearly as strong as the left wheel - not alot of pressure out, more like dribbled. Ok - hope someone has an idea - thanks - Mike

[ks0309]

could be the wheel bearing,this is where the front axle goes thru and held in place with a nut.this would cause excessive heat if bearing failed.

[michtom]

Check for internally collapsed brake hose.