First, yesterday I got home from town, and I washed my car. After washing it, I polished my chrome rims. Did them all, and just by chance, the front passenger rim was last. Started wiping it off, and it burned my hand I decided that that was not normal, especially since it was the only rim that was in the shade, so I couldn't blame the heat on the sun. Let it cool off for awhile, went and drove around for awhile. Came back, same thing. The front drivers side was pretty much cool/cold, the passenger side would burn the hand after a couple seconds. The only thing that I can tell is different is the brake pedal. To me it seems that it requires less travel before it starts slowing down the car. But maybe that is just me and my paranoia.

I assume this is brakes, so I call my local, trustworthy brake shop. They said that they weren't sure, but it could be a sign of something that needs to be looked at. I am taking it in today, and was wondering if you had any ideas before I took it in. Also how much this might cost me.


Second. For the past two weeks, I have noticed that when I accelerate up to about 50 MPH and cruise, right before the TCC locks up, the RPM'* spike about 500-700 RPMs, and then drop down to the usual 1500. Have I just noticed this and it is normal, or is something going wrong with that too?

Well if one of your wheels is getting overly hot faster than the rest, that usually points to a sticky caliper. Do you notice the car pulling? If it'* progressed enough the car should pull to whatever side the bad caliper is on. Kind of like a bad alignment. As far as your spike in RPM'* before TC lockup, don't these cars have progressive lockup? It could just be the TC slipping before it fully engages, which from what i hear is normal as long as it does actually fully lockup.

Yup, that'* sticky slides.

Slide kit is like $10 with about an hour to clean and install it.

$60-70 depending on shop rates.