Mk3 NC - Front wheel vibration and heating to hub

Technical Area Wheels, Tyres & Brakes
2

Hi,

On a 30 mile drive last weekend I noticed a very faint vibration coming from the passenger front wheel at normal motorway speed.  A couple of times since,  I’ve noticed it more, and tonight it’s become more noticeable and the vibration is much stronger, even at a lower speeds. Total distance soince first noticing it in any way, less than 50 miles.

After a 4 mile drive home tonight it was enough for me to see if there was anything obviously wrong.  I wondered if the wheel nuts were loose, so touched them with my fingers, ouch, really hot.  The whole hub area was radiating heat.  I checked the other front wheel, and though warm, (presumably from the brakes) it was no where near the same temperature.

Has anyone got any ideas as to what this may be? Wheel bearing? Sticking brakes? (though there’s no discernible brake noise or slowing of the car or pulling to one side).

I’m loath to drive it again until I’ve found out what it is, it can’t be right getting so very hot that I can’t touch the wheel.

Thanks,

Simon

 

3

I suspect you have a seized calliper.

4

Correct!

5

Same thing happened to me and yes…calliper starting to seize

 

6

Had this on my Mk1, at the MOT actually, he said you have a slight bind on the front brake.

Anyway as said above, it was a seized caliper, I managed to free mine off, all good no more problems. They don’t all work out that way though.

7

And its generally best to change them in pairs. Do not scrimp on brakes.

8

On my Mk2 if I remember, nearside 95k ish and offside 100k ish.

9

what nick says  I didn’t on advice of the garage and then 12 weeks later had to have the other one done

 

 

1 Like
10

Thanks for the replies everyone. 

I bought the car from a main dealer with a 6 months warranty (included/thrown in) and still have 3 months left on it.  I’ll be on the phone to them tomorrow.  They’re 40 odd miles away.  Can/should it be driven or is it a trailer job?

11

Check they will cover it under warranty before making the trip - warranties generally exclude any wear items like brakes.

12

You can easily check by jacking up the car at that corner and seeing how hard it is to turn that wheel when it’s off the ground.

Brake pads/discs won’t be covered by warranty but the callipers might be in scope.

13

I had exactly the same 2 months after buying my NC, I had a heap of problems with the warranty not covering it and ended up with the garage I originally got the car from paying out and sorting it all out which I did think was very good service…but the same thing has just happened again and I’ve just forked out £400 for a recon calliper, discs and pads.

Be prepared for the warranty not to pay out…as they see brakes as a ‘normal wear and tear’ item.

Hope you get it sorted though.

14

I stripped mine cleaned it up and fitted a seal kit…fixed Seal kit £8.36 plus fluid

15
[quote=richardn] I stripped mine cleaned it up and fitted a seal kit............fixed Seal kit £8.36 plus fluid [/quote]

Back in the 80’s, I’d have done it, I had an old MGB GT which I did all of my own work on, even changing a back axle with a broken differential in the street in Manchester.  I’ve long ago parted company all of my ramps, axle stands and tools, but maybe it’s time to get fettling again?

However, as it’s (hopefully) under warranty and/or it may get fixed as a good will gesture as I’ve done less than 1000miles since I got it, I’m handing it over to the Main Dealer in the first instance.

We’ll see what happens on Monday…

16

 

Never mind warranty, your statutory rights should cover it, dealers have to sell cars fit for purpose, a siezed brake is unacceptable after onlyb3 months.

if they try to fob you off with claiming brakes are consumable items threaten them with trading standards, I’m sure they would be interested in a main dealers selling cars with defective brakes.

 

17

A bit harsh. The callipers were probabkly OK when the car was sold. Brakes are a consumable item.

18

I agree mine were both literally fine one evening and then sticking the next morning. The reason they stick seems to be corrosion on the pistons - which in a NC Mk3 being about 6-7 years old is wear and tear I would suggest…

All this trading standards this, trading standards that, small claims court this small claims court that just takes up time and money which in the end of the day just puts prices up for everyone.

19

You have to love forums!

If I read the time line correct there is still about 24 hours to go before the garage even gets to see the problem, at this rate the trading standards man could come out an fix it first and save everyone the heartache!

20

Pmsl