Help - vibration and burning smell
01-26-2009, 11:05 AM
#1
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Help - vibration and burning smell
On way to station this morning and thought i had a flat due to feedback through steering wheel. Pulled over and all looked OK.
Continued Journey and the vibration gradually extended throughout the car...eventually my striker platers were rattling!!
I had a train to catch so left it parked up. Inspected tyres again on return tonight and all look OK. Towards the end of the Drive home (13 miles) I noted the vibration again, and upon arrival at home noted a strong smell, and heard a "clunking" noise just as i parked up. Drivers side alloy and brake disc were hot to touch. I also noted the gap between my wheel and wheel arch is lower by about an inch on that side.
Looks like something has come undone / failed. Any pointers would be helpful. There is a local garage about 3 miles away, but don't want to drive it there if it will cause any further damage. Got Full AA Cover, so can get a flatbed to a stealer if necessary.
Any ideas on what this could be?
Continued Journey and the vibration gradually extended throughout the car...eventually my striker platers were rattling!!
I had a train to catch so left it parked up. Inspected tyres again on return tonight and all look OK. Towards the end of the Drive home (13 miles) I noted the vibration again, and upon arrival at home noted a strong smell, and heard a "clunking" noise just as i parked up. Drivers side alloy and brake disc were hot to touch. I also noted the gap between my wheel and wheel arch is lower by about an inch on that side.
Looks like something has come undone / failed. Any pointers would be helpful. There is a local garage about 3 miles away, but don't want to drive it there if it will cause any further damage. Got Full AA Cover, so can get a flatbed to a stealer if necessary.
Any ideas on what this could be?
01-26-2009, 11:27 AM
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I was thinking the brakes might be seized, but could not really feel any resistance......though that would explain the heat.
Not sure about the drop in ride height though, and the "clunk" i heard. Unless i have been unlucky and it is two issues.
Shame it did not happen on Friday, as booked in for a service on Saturday. Will Jack it up in the morning and see if i can make any sense of what is happening.
Not sure about the drop in ride height though, and the "clunk" i heard. Unless i have been unlucky and it is two issues.
Shame it did not happen on Friday, as booked in for a service on Saturday. Will Jack it up in the morning and see if i can make any sense of what is happening.
01-26-2009, 11:46 AM
#5
I thought my Primera had a seized caliper, but I realised when I checked it out over the weekend it was in fact a knackered wheel bearing. If the wheel's wobbling about it the brakes will be binding so it may appear the same, and I guess it may also seem like the suspension has dropped if the wheel is at an odd angle.
When you've got it (securely) jacked up, grab the wheel top and bottom and see if there's any play.
When you've got it (securely) jacked up, grab the wheel top and bottom and see if there's any play.
01-26-2009, 11:56 AM
#6
Wheel bearing sounds a likely candidate.
