Burning smell from rear fender well

[Anew522]

I have a 2003 Sport 4Runner, V8 with 15,000 miles. Recently I noticed a smell coming from the rear wheel well on the passenger side after driving, it smells like burnt rubber. Has anyone else noticed this or had similar problems? It's currently at the dealership being checked out. In addition, the dealership wants to charge $290 for the 15,000 mile service, which includes oil, transmission, gear case fluid replacement along with other items....I think this is excessive, paying this every 15,000 miles, what's your opinion? I told them to perform the service , since I don't want to jeopardize my warranty.

[sha_zapple]

maybe its the CV boot? old shoe? dead cat?

[AndroT100]

I haven't experienced this with my own 03 Sport V8, but just this week when we were in Lake Tahoe, my father-in-law's 03 LTD V8 had just the same smell a couple of times. It smells to me like a brake burning smell...and after discussing, we are wondering if it was due to snow (ie water/moister) on the hot discs...or excessive ABS/VSC activation due to slippage on the icy roads. We are not sure and are expecting to take it to the dealer for a check. Problem is...it is hard to duplicate the conditions of icy roads and snow in southern California near to the ocean!

It would be great to know what you find-out. We'll do the same.

[Oscarz]

AndroT100,
does your brake pedal still have that occasional "snap" or "thud" in it? Does your father-in-law's 4runner do it? Mine still does.

[AndroT100]

Originally Posted by Oscarz

AndroT100,
does your brake pedal still have that occasional "snap" or "thud" in it? Does your father-in-law's 4runner do it? Mine still does.

Yes it does...now the question is what is it...hmmm...different thoughts on this but I have proceeded with the idea that it is drive-line related and not brake related. Please read the following that I posted at yotatech regarding my visit to the dealer to get my driveline greased correctly:

"I went by my Toyota dealer today and with my 4runner up on the rack spoke with their head technician/specialist. He went online into their service database and printed-out the specs for the maintenance and grease required for the driveshaft and the slip joints for me. The specs require "NGLI 2 Lithium grease for the U-joints and the same with moly disulfide for the slip yokes" as khaug reported...but for 2003/2004!

Here is where it gets a bit different...he asked if I would let him leave it as it is...virgin as he put it...so he could speak with the So CA Toyota engineers as they had asked him if had any 2003 owners complaining about the clunk in the brakes and/or driveline. Seems they may want to take my driveshafts and give me new ones, or take the rig for a day of testing. He further said that filling the slip joints to the max with grease actually is harmful for the transfer case because the forces usually absorbed by the greased slip joint are transferred to the transfer case. They have had cases of cracked transfer cases because of "over greased" slip joints.

Bottom line is that he asked me to leave it as it is from the factory until next week when he will have the oportunity to speak with Toyota's engineers. I am going to put 1500 or 2000 miles on it this week on a trip...wanted it double-checked grease-wise prior to leaving...now nothing has been done...he said not to worry, the u-joints and slip joints are greased well at the factory.

Thoughts?!"

So there you go! It is now more than a week later and no call. I was in Tahoe for the week and did lots of snow driving and some off-road in snow. All was great even with the clunk. I had an additional experience which is my ABS/VSC. It makes an nasty electrical sound when engaged. I don't like it and my father-in-laws' doesn't do it. His just pulses and clicks. What happens when yours engages?

I'll keep you updated!

[cfweeks]

I also have a 2003 4Runner. I have the exact same symptoms you are describing. The dealer here is saying that Toyota acknowledges there is a potential problem with the catalytic converter and it may be associated with the fuel being used. No final word yet.

Originally Posted by Anew522

I have a 2003 Sport 4Runner, V8 with 15,000 miles. Recently I noticed a smell coming from the rear wheel well on the passenger side after driving, it smells like burnt rubber. Has anyone else noticed this or had similar problems? It's currently at the dealership being checked out. In addition, the dealership wants to charge $290 for the 15,000 mile service, which includes oil, transmission, gear case fluid replacement along with other items....I think this is excessive, paying this every 15,000 miles, what's your opinion? I told them to perform the service , since I don't want to jeopardize my warranty.