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Toyota echo 2003on my way to work i noticed burning smell and when i stopped - the front wheeels were hot. What is that??Besides, on highway at speed 80 kmh streering wheel starts shaking violently - is it something wrong with wheel balance?Tanya
Country: CanadaMake: ToyotaModel: EchoYear: 2003 Already Tried: nothing
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This is not a wheel balance problem. The reason why the wheel shakes is because the rotors are overheating. This causes them to warp and translates into a steering wheel vibration. You have one of two possible things going on here, the brake calipers are both hanging up at the same time which is unlikely or the most common problem is the pressure is not being relieved back into the master cylinder due to the valve sticking in the master cylinder. t Ts eventually causes the pressure to build then as the calipers and brake pads get hotter and hotter it causes them to even sees onto the rotors even more. The easiest way to determine if this is the problem is to have the front wheels off the ground while the calipers are bound up and the wheels are difficult to turn then crack the line loose at the master cylinder and see if the pressure releases and the wheels turn freely. If it does then you know for certain the problem is in the master cylinder.
the tech informed me couple weeks ago that my front brakes are worn out - so assume that is the part of the problem.
Will the replacing braki pads and rotors solve the problem?
Relist: Other.i waited for 20 min
Sorry for the delay. I had to step out for a while. If the brake pads need to be replaced because they're worn out and hanging up in the brake pad holder then yes this should take care the problem. However if it is a pressure buildup due to a bad valve in the master cylinder then no it will continue to become a problem. The master cylinder needs to be inspected when the brakes are done.
Thank you very much. I have to drive home about 30 km. Is it safe to drive while rotors are overheated?
If the steering wheel starts to shake it's not a good idea to continue driving this. If you drive use the brakes as little as possible in other words down shift from drive to second to low range if it's an automatic or manually down shift and try not to put excessive force on the brake pedal.
Experience: Toyota Master Diagnostic