Something smells... hot.

2nd September 2012, 23:28

Good evening Sax-p.

Just drove back from the girlfriends (about a 15 minute drive) got out my car, and something just smelled hot. I can't quite describe the smell but I bet we've all smelt it before. I narrowed it down to the rear end of my car, i'm not too sure what could be causing it, does anyone have any ideas? Could a handbrake that is seized on cause this? Because I noticed my car doesn't roll very freely when parked on a hill.

2nd September 2012, 23:30

Might be the tyre rubbing off your arch wall (axel on its way out). best check it out

2nd September 2012, 23:32

Is the exhaust touching the bumper? May be melting it

2nd September 2012, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukus-vtr

Good evening Sax-p.

Just drove back from the girlfriends (about a 15 minute drive) got out my car, and something just smelled hot. I can't quite describe the smell but I bet we've all smelt it before. I narrowed it down to the rear end of my car, i'm not too sure what could be causing it, does anyone have any ideas? Could a handbrake that is seized on cause this? Because I noticed my car doesn't roll very freely when parked on a hill.

as you say seized handbreak, exhaust burning bumper not really much more at the back end that can smell.

2nd September 2012, 23:51

Handbrake possible, but more logically i would say the bearings, would explain the car not moving freely, and the common burning smell may be lubricant related, ie grease or oil, more likely axle than wheel, but give both the wheels and the axle a good butchers.

3rd September 2012, 00:31

Thanks for the speedy responses. I haven't considered the tyre rubbing off the arch.. I'll check it out first thing in the morning and let you know.

DUFC - If the issue was axle related what would I be looking for if I was to have a gander?

I do however think my handbrake is seized because when I pull away first thing in the morning my car lowers down, (Like it would when you take the handbrake off)

3rd September 2012, 00:40

With the axle its pretty hard to tell if the bearing is burning as the bearings are in the arms.
Just general play in the wheels like 3 to 6, and feel for movement, which would give you a general idea if its axle related.

But the handbrake issue is easier to find, take the hub off (assuming its drum) and with doing this you can also see in the bearing. It may be that the shoes have worn down to the metal and this could be the burning smell.

3rd September 2012, 01:23

Thanks for that DUFC, i'll have a feel for play when it's up on some stands, Sorry forgot to mention its a VTR, so disc brakes on the rear.

3rd September 2012, 14:39

I recon you have a ceeced calliper ,after you have drove the car feel each side of the rear weels/discs

3rd September 2012, 14:43

I'd say a sticky caliper too. Should be able to tell - as one will be red hot!

3rd September 2012, 16:53

Had a drive and felt the disk and it was too hot to touch, but didn't compare it to the other side. I'll check properly next time. I had a look at my exhaust and it's not touching any part of my bumper, and I had a look at my rear arches and didn't spot any signs of rubbing, or excessive wear on any of my tires. So could be seized caliber, seized handbrake orrrr what DUFC said about bearings. Hoping it isn't this one.

3rd September 2012, 19:50

100% guaranteed it's a sticky caliper , iI had the same problem a few week back , easiest thimg to do mate it just replace the caliper £20 or so off ebay thats where i got mine anyhows heres a link message this guy and ask if he has one for you - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2707078198...ht_1254wt_1129

3rd September 2012, 20:27

Do you feel the back end dropping when you pull off and the backend raise when you reverse?

10th September 2012, 14:41

Had a feel of both disks on the rear and they were both red hot, the two at the front were nice and cool. Could both calipers be sticking??

10th September 2012, 18:23

Both mine failed mate, make it feel slow and sluggish, get it check out mate

10th September 2012, 22:11

have u found the problem yet mate? one of my back brakes were sticking on my vtr a few weeks ago, turned out to be the handbrake cable sticking so the handbrake lever on the caliper wasnt releasing properly. just an idea

11th September 2012, 12:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamie281093

have u found the problem yet mate? one of my back brakes were sticking on my vtr a few weeks ago, turned out to be the handbrake cable sticking so the handbrake lever on the caliper wasnt releasing properly. just an idea

No not yet, trying to decipher between the handbrake or the caliper. I don't know anything about handbrakes but my car groans if I rock the car when it's stationary with the handbrake on which would indicate it's sticking? don't know. Could this explain why both calipers are hot? Or are both calipers just seized?

Edit. Woo 400 posts lol...

11th September 2012, 14:56

sticking caliper most likely, could be exhaust rubbing on bumper, bearing on the way out, tire rubbing due to beam failure.
take it to a garage and have a check.
you may have even just left the handbrake on

11th September 2012, 15:42

sticky/seized calipers fo sho, had them on all my saxo's and now ive got one coming on the clio (same rear calipers). They're shite.

26th September 2012, 23:00

Hey guys i'm going to bump this thread, I believe I can confidently say it is my handbrake that is causing the issue. The car is groaning when someone gets in or out, the back of the car dips when pulling off and rises when reversing. I believe the cable is stretched as I can lift the handbrake itself fairly high.

Where would be a good base to start, as I know little to nothing about handbrakes.

26th September 2012, 23:24

I would strip and clean the brakes which is an easy job, then see if anything needs replacing etc. However if you are not confident its your brakes at the end of the day and don't want to do it wrong and they not work.