2014 Sport - Burning Smell in front

[SHUMAX]

115,000 miles. Front brakes replaced at 85,000 - pads and rotors. Temps in my area recently dropped to between 20-30 degrees while driving. I've been noticing that there is a "hot" smell in the front right of the vehicle when I get out of the car. I looked underneath and don't see anything leaking - oil, coolant, etc. I also had it checked out when I had the oil changed last week - PTU, engine oil, engine area and the coolant were checked as it (coolant) was flushed at that time, too. Note, the smell WAS there BEFORE that flush. So, I don't think the flush of the coolant has anything to do with it.

This weekend, I came to a stop off an exit ramp and a matter of seconds later, the cabin filled with a hot smell that smelled like burning rubber. I checked the right front tire and noticed nothing unusual, but that was where the smell was coming from as it was strong as I stood there. I didn't think to touch the rim to see if it was hot - wish I had. I plan to today after some driving.

I'm thinking it's a stuck caliper/slider pin/piston in the caliper, but not sure. If not that, a wheel bearing; though, I had no strange noises in the front end. So, I'm not sure it's that.

Any additional thoughts, or experience with this condition?

Thanks!
Shumax

 

[boominXplorer]

Touch the wheels near the center after driving, they should all feel cold or feel the same. If one is warmer its probably sticking. A more common issue is the PTU (AWD t-case) going bad and leaking the fluid out. Its on the backside of the engine at the bottom, there is plenty of threads on here with pics. It could be coming out the vent tube and you just haven't seen it yet.

 

[thefranchise713]

Guessing something in the braking system was sticking, as you said.

Last year I was driving through Maryland on 68--lots of hills and I had the adaptive cruise on. After a while I started to smell brakes, so I got to a rest stop and let the whole system cool down. One wheel was abnormally warm.

After I drove without cruise and let intertia do what it wanted absent braking friction--never had another problem. Guessing the one caliper was just a little sticky.

 

[SHUMAX]

I am very tuned in on the PTU. Changed the fluid several times and the last Blackstone came back bad. So, that’s a possibility but it was just changed 3,000 miles ago and I had it checked for leaks Friday during an oil change. All good.

I did drive it today and the right front hub is warmer than the rest. Not screaming hot but warmer. It also stinks like the smell I had so that’s the area.

Goes into Ford Friday to check it out. I have a 1,100 mile road trip coming up in a week so I want to sort that out.

Thanks,
Shumax

 

[thefranchise713]

SHUMAX, how did you make out with this one?

 

[SHUMAX]

They contended the front right caliper was hanging up. Cleaned and lubed everything up and sent me on my way.

The smell got better, but came back and is now very random. I’ve just ignored it until it becomes more frequent or something else happens.

Shumax

 

[Adrian Gitch]

When I started reading this thread first thing I thought was the caliper is catching not releasing pressure on the pads. It can also be random. I replaced mine on a 2004 explorer and problem was fixed.