Hatrack River Forum: what is wrong with my car?

This is topic what is wrong with my car? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by ginette (Member # 852) on :

When I drive a short distance, for example today I drove only 20 miles, then already my left front wheel gets overheated. I almost burn my hand on the frame. What could that be?

Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :

Is the engine temperature going up, or is just the tire / wheel that is hot? Does that tire show any excessive or uneven wear?

My guess would be either an alignment or break problem. If the breaks are partly engaged, or the emergency break is on, that might cause the tire to heat up.

Is it the rubber that's hot, or the metal rim inside the tire, or the metal of the car body around the tire?

Posted by ginette (Member # 852) on :

No Mighty, the engine temperature is not going up. The tire does not show excessive or uneven wear, but it looses air quicker than the other tyres.
It's not the rubber that's hot, it is all the metal of the car body around the tire and the small metal wheel inside, the center of the wheel.
It does feel like the break is affected when it gets overheated, but when I start driving and the wheel is still cold I notice no break problem.

Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :

Loose nut behind the steering wheel?

Ok, enough snarkyness--I'd have the breaks checked.

Posted by ginette (Member # 852) on :

Sure, also a loose nut behind the steering wheel:-)

I hope it's nothing more than the breaks. That won't be an expensive repair. I am just worried this might be the end of my car :-(

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

Could be a wheel bearing or brakes. My first thought was the tire was getting too low, but that would heat the rubber first, then the wheel from outer-rim inwards. If the center of the wheel is the hottest part, I'd suspect a bearing. If it's drum brakes, then sure, that could heat the rim too. But if it has disc brakes, I wouldn't expect that much heat transfer to the wheel.

Good luck!

Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :

Hi ginette! [Wave]

Long time no see!

Could your tire be rubbing against the wheel-well, or against something else?

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

Ginette! Good to see you. How are things going for you, other than the car trouble?

Posted by ginette (Member # 852) on :

Hi friends [Smile]

Good to see you too!

Well, I have never been really away from this place, been lurking around sometimes, of course I can't miss Hatrack [Big Grin]

.

A lot has changed in my life, some other time I might post about it (if I dare). Most important for now is to say it has changed for the better and I am doing fine.

Thank you all for replying to my post, I am going to bring the car away now and will keep you updated on what was wrong.

Wow, it really feels good to always feel welcome here! :-) Thanks!

Posted by ginette (Member # 852) on :

Got my car back today already :-)

It was the brakes. I don't know how you call it, but it was the thing in the middle that manages the brakes. It was corroded and that's why the brakes didn't work properly. One was almost completely gone.

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

Yikes! Glad that it didn't cause an accident!

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

I've driven without brakes. It adds excitement.

Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :

Relying on breaks to stop is just a crutch for poor drivers [Wink]

Posted by ginette (Member # 852) on :

Right MightyCow, I never missed them as we all use our gear to break, here in Europe [Big Grin]