Burning Rubber Smell
zsplain
04-23-2007, 07:39 PM
I have a 2000 Ford Focus SE with the DOHC motor. Recently I have experienced a horrible burning smell coming from the front of the car. I thought I had figured it out when I replaced the caliper. The front-driverside caliper failed to release causing the smell. I replaced it, new pads, and had my rotors turned down. It went away for about a week and now it is back. It only happens after the car has been moving for a while. It can remain idling in the driveway for hours and will not smell but once I go about 65mph on the interstate it will start to smell. The only other problem I am having right now is that the car shakes once it is going about 65. If anyone has any clue as into what is going on it would be greatly appreciated.
mr_tw
04-24-2007, 01:50 AM
it's a common problem, the DOHC has so much power it's hard to keep the tires hooked up even ay highway speed! ok sorry, my guess would be the brakes again, possibly somthing in the brake line that causes the caliper to stick? you could try flushing out the brake fluid and see if that helps at all, but beyond that I havn't really herd of this problem before
zsplain
04-24-2007, 10:27 AM
I have also replaced the master cylinder and the passenger caliper. The brakes are mint. I am pretty sure that there is nothing in the brake line because when I bled the brakes, the fluid was not obstructed by anything. If anyone else has any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.
Johnny Mullet
04-24-2007, 10:40 PM
You either have a bad wheel bearing or a bad brake hose.
zsplain
04-25-2007, 08:25 AM
As far as the bad wheel bearing, I am not getting the typical signs. What do you mean by the brake line is bad? Now I have driven the car several times and no rubber smell yet but occasionally I will get the rubber smell. If anyone else has any other suggestions? Also I am getting intermittent shaking at high speeds? Don't know what that is about, maybe they are connected some how? Any input will be appreciated.
egc519mzl
04-28-2007, 06:27 PM
It is probably time to align the wheels to fix the shaking. Or totally replace the rotors. You only had it turned down.
With regards to the smell, it is probably because you have new pads.
With regards to the smell, it is probably because you have new pads.
AlaskanWrench
05-01-2007, 01:31 AM
usally pads dont make a strong enough smell to notice...you might have a slight toe in on the front wheels... that would explain the shakes and the hot rubber smell.
GringoPete
06-09-2007, 08:55 PM
My Buick had the same burnt rubber smell at the front end after driving as well. Turned out that the tensioner pulley was broke and the pulley itself was spinning with the belt while the hub of the pulley wasn't.
chevyboy12921
07-10-2007, 12:36 AM
who needs front breaks? if u get rid of them, no more problem
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