Extremely Hot Rim Issue

[TCBimmer]

Last night after a 15 minute drive home from work I noticed a hissing sound coming from my rear passenger wheel. Upon closer inspection the rim was very hot and a hissing sound was coming from the center cap. This was the only wheel that was in this condition and also the only wheel that was missing a center cap when I purchased the car. What could a very hot rim mean? Wheel bearing
issue?

Any help or further direction would be great.

Thanks.

[Eddy@ApexRaceParts]

i forget if that model has a parking brake on that side, but the parking brake could be stuck, causing heat. The drag it would create could easily be over powered by the car (I've left the parking brake on by accident a number of times).

Just throwing that idea out there

[Gofast]

I'd bet it's either the parking brake or a sticking brake caliper on the disk brake.

[Kevlar]

Stuck parking brake, stuck caliper or even a worn wheel bearing can cause these issues.

[TCBimmer]

I went to check those issues tonight as my pads need to be changed as well but I ran into a probelm... the previous owner had the wheels put on ridiculously tight. I'm taking it in to have a tire shop loosen them up with an air wrench. Hopefully after that, one of your suggestions will fix it.

By the way do the same conditions remain even though the rotor isn't hot, just the rim? That seemed odd to me.

[TheJonas]

The wheel and the brake rotor have such substantial contact area(read: thermal transfer), I find it hard to believe that either one can get hot without affecting the other.
Much for the same reason these gentleman, very accurately, recommended checking the brake(s) on that wheel.

Maybe describe in more detail but my guess is that one of the three things already named will turn out to be the culprit.

1 Wheel bearings- this would explain the hissing somewhat, bearing failure cooking the fluids: water(vapor or liquid) and probably several weights of oil.
2 E-brake- standard problem
3 Stuck caliper - same same

Good luck!

[TCBimmer]

I checked to confirm that it was only the rim that was heating up and notthe rotor. Turns out that was the case. Jonas, I found this result very weird myself but it's what's happening. I completely agree with earlier mentioned suggestios but like I said the bolts were rusted in place. Finally got the bolts out but the problem wheel has apparently fused with the rotor fromthe intense heat. I'm taking the car to a tire place and tell them I need my wheels rotated. If and when they separate the rim and rotor is it wise to reuse or should I replace the rotor?

And yes, during this time hopefully the caliper, parking break or wheel bearing issue will be addressed.

Thanks