Smoking Around Wheel, Bad Smell

[lkrasner]

Alright, here's the more major issue with my 02 Tahoe 4WD.

After driving, there is a strong burning smell (not rubber, seems more like oil than metal to me, but I'm not sure) coming from the back wheel area. Occasionally, especially if I've driven it harder, there is actually smoke pouring out through the wheels. It seems worse from the left side, at least that is where I've noticed the smoke. The brakes seem fine. Pads, rotors, and calipers are new as of about a year ago, nothing seems abnormally worn. They don't get hotter than normal, and both sides are the same temp.

The smoke really seems to be coming from the wheel though. My first though was differential, but it doesn't look like it's coming from there. If I get under the car, I can see it around the wheel and brake rotor, but nowhere else.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[redemn93]

do you see fluid anywhere? are you sure the calipers or master arent sticking? pedal feel any different at all?

 

[lkrasner]

do you see fluid anywhere? are you sure the calipers or master arent sticking? pedal feel any different at all?

Don't see any fluid, and everything feels normal to me. It still creeps forward the same in gear as well. If it is sticking, it isn't much. What is the right way to check?

 

[redemn93]

if its rolling normal it may not be the calipers. maybe.

are the tires rubbing anything?

 

[lkrasner]

if its rolling normal it may not be the calipers. maybe.

are the tires rubbing anything?

Don't appear to be. Tire size and suspension is stock, so there shouldn't be any reason for them to. Could it be a wheel bearing?

 

[clandr1]

My first thought was the wheel bearing is going out on you.

 

[redemn93]

possible but there would be noise. best way to find it is just pull the wheel and find out whats going on in there.

 

[Red Rider]

Wheel bearings don't always make noise. I had one that fried. It did not make any noise, but i felt it pull.

When you say 'feel', did you actually touch surfaces back there? If not, i would try to get temp readings either with hand, or with thermometer. If it is wheel bearing, the axle/hubs will be hot. Nothing should be super hot. Brakes get a little warm to hot but should not burn.

 

[Gtir007]

sounds like a wheel bearing or seal, maybe oil is passing the seal when driven

 

[nikogto]

Sounds, smells like you have a bad axle seal, you should see traces of oil inside one of the rear wheels or on the backing plate, could possible be the pinion seal slinging oil on the exhaust.