If your vehicle is showing wheel hub or rim feels excessively hot to the touch after driving, here are the most likely causes and the parts you'll need to fix each one.
The brake caliper piston or its slide pins have become stuck due to rust or debris. This causes the brake pads to constantly drag against the rotor while driving, generating immense friction and heat.
The internal wheel bearing has lost its lubrication or is severely worn out. The resulting metal-on-metal friction generates extreme heat that transfers directly to the wheel hub and rim.
The parking brake cable is seized from corrosion, or the internal parking brake shoes are adjusted too tightly. This keeps the parking brake partially applied while driving.
During a recent brake job, the caliper slide pins or pad contact points were not properly cleaned and lubricated. This prevents the brake pads from retracting fully, causing them to drag and overheat.
The internal rubber lining of the flexible brake hose has deteriorated and collapsed. It acts like a one-way valve, allowing fluid pressure to apply the brakes but preventing it from releasing, causing severe brake drag.
If the vehicle has serviceable tapered wheel bearings, the spindle nut may have been over-torqued during recent maintenance. This removes necessary clearance, causing rapid overheating and bearing failure.