need a little expert 4wd advice
 

Hi dudes, dudettes
I am wondering about some burning smells coming from my wheels, brakes? when driving thru some snow. Is it normal? I ma driving 30 feet thru 8-10 inches to get near my apt to plug in the block heater. And after only that short distance, I can smell the brakes (i think that's what it is). I assume the traction control it just doing it's job but I wouldn't expect it to make the brakes smell like they've been on for minutes. KNow what I mean?

I am in 1st gear, going slowly. 4WD high unlocked. Any thoughts? Do you off roaders smell any brakes stuff after going a short distance?

thanks

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

no strange smells from mine . even with the e-brake on probably wouldant get the smell in that short of a distance . strange keep us posted . good luck on this one , you might send F5 a pm to see if he has ever heard of this before .

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

Not of any help here .. but I have a similar question. I periodically smell a burning smell after I park the 3 and go back to open the rear gate. I can smell something like a burning rubber or brake. I don't sense it along the side or front of the 3 .. only in the rear. :confused:

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

might be the catalytic converter , what are north east emissions ?? if they are as strict as cali , might just be the Cat.conv. burning in . if still low miles those smells should go away .

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

How fast are you going? To me -- those sound like conditions that I'd be in 4High Locked and in Drive...If it was real bad, then 4 low lock and 1st...but 8-10 inches doesn't sound bad unless its heavy, wet, nasty snow..

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

thx all. not going fast. turnong off the driveway over a side yard that has some dirt/mud under the snow, to drive up to the bldg. 20-30 feet. It is about 10 degrees outside.
I'll try to keep y'all posted.

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

I've had the same burning smell when I go through a good amount of mud. From what I've noticed, it doesn't happen when I just start the truck and drive through it, only when it's been running for a while. I'm guessing it might be mud hitting some hot steel (maybe the exhaust system) and burning. The smell never lasts too long either.

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

I get the same exact smell that you describe! It's the same on either short or long trips.

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

I don't have any smells from my rear...:jump:

However, the cats on the vehicle are close to the front.

It could be the mud burining off the exhaust. On a new vehicle for about 200 miles you do have a smell from the coating on the cat burning off.

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

Makes sense for HummerHippy's problem. But, on mine, I don't have any snow or mud on mine, but I do have a momentary burning smell as if I had been riding with the brakes on. :confused:

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

:giggling: Smell from the rear.
I just noticed my 3's smell. It's only been a couple times. 11K miles. IT's much more a brake smell not burning mud dirt type. Just wondered if others get that when the stability control or trucks brain uses the brakes to control wheel spin as in going thru mud, or snow. I didn't smell it today backing out of the side yard. But I did last night going in.

Thanks

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

I'm starting to get a burning smell after driving and it is really evident when I go to open the back up. A bit over 12,000 miles now.

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

That's exactly what it is -- but mud/hot underbody has a pretty unique smell...its almost not even a burning smell...hard to explain...but Hippy's sounds like something different...

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

Could just be your breaking too hard?

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

I get the same thing all the time. My driveway is steep, and slick in the snow. I have to keep it floored the whole way up sometimes, only a four wheel drive will make it. Particularly before my new tires, when the old stockers were letting everything slide, I'd hear the groaning and smell the smell. I'm willing to bet that the braking from the traction control is all it is. It works.

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

I have noticed this smell as well, even in dry weather. I did notice that the trailer harness cover had been partially seared by the heat from the exhaust. But I believe the smell I have noticed is eminating elsewhere but where I do not know...it does seem like it is stronger on the rear, passenger side, nearest to the rear wheel assembly. :popcorn:

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

the smell is from your tires, just from wheel spin its totally ok. i noticed the same thing especially after doing burnouts and donuts

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

I smell the burn after just normal street driving.

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

NO BURN

Re: need a little expert 4wd advice
 

maybe you are driving around in 4 low and dont know it then :P tires trying to spin at the same time as you are turning so they are burning up. do you notice any wear on the tires? if so take it in. if not how new is your rig? not that it really matters tho. just check your fluids and if they are correct in color then dont worry about it. check your diff level too