Not sure what the root cause is, but yesterday I noticed that (having driven a short while on a dual carriageway where the speed limit was 50mph) the car started labouring to keep up speed. As soon as I would ease off the gas pedal the car would begin slowing drastically, then getting the speed back up seemed to take a lot of effort, so much so that I could hear the exhaust start to rattle.
Then I began smelling a burnt rubber type of smell coming in from my drivers side window. I pulled over as soon as possible (fortunately, I was able to get off the carriageway and onto smaller side roads) and immediately got out to see what it might be. I followed the burning smell to the front of the car, and looked under the bonnet, but couldn't see anything (or smell any burning). It was then I looked around at the offside front wheel and that's where the smell seemed to be coming from.
Took the car to a local greasemonkey, and he took the wheel off and showed me that the brake pads were getting worn down way too rapidly. Apparantly they were causing damage to the brake disc as well. There isn't any of this happening on the other side (nearside, that is), just the driver's side. Although he tried, he couldn't replicate the same thing (brake pads sticking) and told me he couldn't say with certainty what might be causing this, and that I should bring the car back to him when the problem arises again.
I'm not too sure about waiting to see if the same thing happens again, and it's got me a little worried seeing as its obviously something to do with the braking system.
Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing, or know what the actual cause could be? If its the caliper on that side, then at least I can get it replaced. The uncertaintly of the mechanic has got me worried about what might be causing this
btw, sorry fot the wall of text
Then I began smelling a burnt rubber type of smell coming in from my drivers side window. I pulled over as soon as possible (fortunately, I was able to get off the carriageway and onto smaller side roads) and immediately got out to see what it might be. I followed the burning smell to the front of the car, and looked under the bonnet, but couldn't see anything (or smell any burning). It was then I looked around at the offside front wheel and that's where the smell seemed to be coming from.
Took the car to a local greasemonkey, and he took the wheel off and showed me that the brake pads were getting worn down way too rapidly. Apparantly they were causing damage to the brake disc as well. There isn't any of this happening on the other side (nearside, that is), just the driver's side. Although he tried, he couldn't replicate the same thing (brake pads sticking) and told me he couldn't say with certainty what might be causing this, and that I should bring the car back to him when the problem arises again.
I'm not too sure about waiting to see if the same thing happens again, and it's got me a little worried seeing as its obviously something to do with the braking system.
Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing, or know what the actual cause could be? If its the caliper on that side, then at least I can get it replaced. The uncertaintly of the mechanic has got me worried about what might be causing this
btw, sorry fot the wall of text
