Smoke from DS wheel well ??

[T Y L E R]

This could be nothing , or it might be a symptom of an upcoming problem .

Drove out into the bush today .. maybe 150 miles in total . On the way back I thought I smelled a slightly rubbery/burning smell . Very subtle , and it was so transient that I ignored it .. as it was gone seconds later .

I rolled into town , and at a city traffic light at idle , I noticed a very slight trace of smoke coming from the driver side wheel well . I checked my instruments quickly and all was ok , so I drove a block to my destination . I lifted the hood , and smelled around a little .. nothing remarkable . Then walked back to the driver door and as I did I saw a bit of smoke again . This time I looked under the truck .. back under the hood but nothing seemed to be smoking .

When I got home , I checked the tranny fluid .. both it and the oil seem fine . Both at normal levels and have good colour .

Any ideas as to what this may have been ? The only other detail that might be pertinent , is that I noticed a very small bit of grease on the DS wheel when I was in the bush ... thought nothing of it because I had everything greased before I left BC to come home .

TY

 

[landtank]

Maybe some of that grease substance got on the rotor. How much braking was involved in the bush? How many miles on your truck? A failed inner seal will allow geasr lube into the knuckle which can cause lube/grease to come out of it. Has the axle been serviced?

 

[T Y L E R]

Rick ,

I believe the axle was serviced 2 winters ago . Bearing races replaced etc . Before I left BC I went into a lub place and they took a grease gin to every fitting . I remember the guy commenting on the front axles .. that they were taking a huge amount of grease .. asked me if I had ever greased them ..

Odd I never noticed anything in my 2000 mile drive back . If it is a worn seal , how else would I be able to tell ?

The truck has 95 miles on it .

Thanx

TY

 

[ELLTEE]

Sounds like you've got a hanging caliper. Not a really big deal, but get on it before it ruins your rotor. If you're a DIY, you can rebuild it for fairly small change, or pull the trigger on the money gun and buy a new caliper.

LT

 

[Rookie2]

Rick ,

I believe the axle was serviced 2 winters ago . Bearing races replaced etc . Before I left BC I went into a lub place and they took a grease gin to every fitting . I remember the guy commenting on the front axles .. that they were taking a huge amount of grease .. asked me if I had ever greased them ..

Tyler:

Do you know if they filled the knuckles all the way up? They're not supposed to be. I filled mine full when I first bought it, and got to do the front axle service a couple of months later. I think by filling the knuckle to the brim, once the grease heated up it blew the axle seals.

Just thought I'd mention it.


Rookie2

 

[T Y L E R]

*fawk*

Sounds like a trip to Toyota might be in order ...

I bet they filled it to the brim .. I wouldn't have known any better .

TY

 

[landtank]

I'd pull the tire and look around a little. Compare the rear of the rotor to the front for a color difference and a grease stain that travels down from the center behind the rotor. If they put in regular old bearing grease in the knuckles you'd want someone in there doing an axle job damn quick.

 

[T Y L E R]

thanx for the quick replies .. I'll get on this ASAP .

TY

 

[stayalert]

You mentioned drivers side.....
what side of the road do your drive on...IE left hand drive or right hand drive....If RHD maybe something getting on exhaust? I'm new to this forum and don't know if its international or not but I often erroneously assume LHD and start off thinking all wrong....Does it pull to the drivers side as well?
Rob M Concord. MA USA

 

[stayalert]

Also whe you say "bush" I think of Oz....RIPPABONZA!

 

[T Y L E R]

Stayalert .. LHD and it hasn't pulled .

Update : I went out today in the sun and took a better look at the wheels etc . The outside aspect of the wheels (both front ones) are covered in a very thin , greasy layer , particularly the textured portions . I took a look at the inner wheel and tire , and both sides are bone dry .. NO grease . This should indicate the seals are intact ; yes ? *crossing fingers*

I still needed to know what Mr Lube used for grease , so I went to our local franchaise and asked them . They stated the grease they use is called "urinex EP2" (not exactly sure of the spelling or spacing) .

I took it to Toyota , but they are down a few guys , so they'll look at it next week for me .

I tried looking up the grease on the web with no luck . These guys weren't sure what type it was precisely . Have you guys heard of it ?

Maybe a caliper after all ?? But I need to replace that grease if it is the wrong type for sure ..

TY

 

[Rookie2]

But I need to replace that grease if it is the wrong type for sure ..

You realize to do that, you're talking a knuckle jobber?

 

[T Y L E R]

You realize to do that, you're talking a knuckle jobber?

Apparently you aren't familiar with my technical accumen ...

TY

 

[Rookie2]

No, I quess I wasn't. From your avatar, I figured you spent more time drink'n 40's and roll'n with your possie. Good luck on the birf job.. and don't get your fingers stuck in the spinners .


Rookie2

 

[T Y L E R]

Ok , hasn't been payday yet .. so I haven't had it into Toyota for a thurough going over yet . I did however snap this shot the day after I noticed the smoke ..

Does this seem normal ? What about the slight bit of grease sprayed finely onto the lower tire ?

TY