very strong burning rubber smell

[Orgchemist]

Hi. Wonder if anyone has any ideas. I was trying to drive up a steep muddy hill. The traction control light came on then there was a very strong smell of burning rubber, so strong I had to get out of the car. Tyres were not spinning enough to do this and as I said the ground was muddy. Only problem since is the brakes on one of the back wheels are binding (did not do this before). (Freelander TD4 2003)

 

[jailon]

Traction control on my car (insignia, so i assume it will be the same for other cars) applies the brakes if it senses a wheel spinning, so power is diverted to the wheel with the most traction. If you thrash it with traction control on when wheel is spinning then your brakes heat up (giving a burning smell) and your brake fluid starts to boil at that particular wheel

If your brakes are now binding, strip it down and give it a check over, suggest a bit of lubrication with copper grease (if there is no damage to seals / pistons / pads etc)

Next time you go off road and t/c kicks in, don't be too heavy with the go faster pedal or turn of your t/c

 

[Orgchemist]

Hi Jailon, thanks for the input. Wheels did not spin very much.(used to do a lot of off roading in real Land Rovers) The smell was of burning rubber or electrics (phenol to be precise, I'm a chemist so know these silly things) Intend to do a full service on brakes when I can get the wheels off, found I dont have a locking wheel nut key, one on order. As for turning off the TC this is not an option on the Freelander (apart from pulling the fuse)

 

[Sean]

The smell was of burning rubber or electrics (phenol to be precise, I'm a chemist so know these silly things)

possibly a PCB with an overly hot component somewhere

 

[joe27979]

was it gassy smell? diff juice burning on exhaust out if it's breather?

 

[Orgchemist]

Hi All. Thanks for the replies. The smell was burning rubber, it wasn't just a smell, it was so strong could not go back in the car for hours afterwards. Thought it might be aux drive belt, but looks as new. I'm an experieced land rover owner and mechanic (30 years) but never come across something like this, which is why I wondered if it is something peculiar to the freelander.

 

[joe27979]

is the smell evident in engine bay or just in cab? I'm stumped!
your abs unit still working ok?

 

[Orgchemist]

Hi joe

There was a strong smell in the engine bay which is why I originaly thought it was the aux drive belt but I have now had this off and does not show any wear. as far as I can tell the ABS is still working OK. Took the binding rear wheel apart today could nor find anything wrong all parts working smoothly, so am begining to wonder about a fault in the ABS system.

 

[mickymck]

Hi joe

There was a strong smell in the engine bay which is why I originaly thought it was the aux drive belt but I have now had this off and does not show any wear. as far as I can tell the ABS is still working OK. Took the binding rear wheel apart today could nor find anything wrong all parts working smoothly, so am begining to wonder about a fault in the ABS system.

slipping clutch maybe on steep hills