Wheels on fire...

[Bar Vitelli]

Never a dull moment with my cars - hopefully someone can help me.

I drove from Halifax to Leeds today and parked up to catch a train. As I got out of the car I noticed smoke coming from the front wheel on the right hand side. The wheel was hot to touch on the inner side and the smoke began to get stronger. Thank fully, I had a bottle of water with me so poured it over and eventually the smoke stopped although a black oily substance, only a small amount appeared on the wheel hub.

I've run to catch my train but will need to drive the car the 18 miles back home tomorrow. Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be and whether the car will be safe to drive home?

[Gadge]

I'm wondering if a bearing has starting to seize causing the hub to run hot. The only thing that can cause that sort of heat is friction. Maybe jack the front end up and see how it spins. Ild be tempted to get recovery home

[Rusty's Uncle]

BV for a minute there I thought you had got into some classic 60's Julie Driscoll rock culture 
But I am shocked that you used an ordinary bottle of water on the fire, you must have had a bottle of Italian wine on board 
As Gadge says it is most likely the wheel bearings unless the car is not used too much and the brake cylinder is seizing. If it is the brake cylinder then it may free off then probably leak brake fluid. If it does still bind you can produce enough heat to boil the brake fluid and loose your brakes altogether.
If it is the bearing breaking up then you get the double whammies of the heat from the knackered bearings and as the the brake drum goes out of alignment the heat from the friction on the brake shoes so it will only get a lot worse. You could probably drive it in short bursts then a rest but 18 miles could take some time.

[Bar Vitelli]

Thanks for the replies, chaps...

I got back to Leeds this afternoon, exhausted a little worse for wear after a trip to Edinburgh so decided to take a risk and drive it home. I stuck to 40 mph and kept to the back roads rather than the motorway and watched out for any smoke on the way. All okay and home safely and the wheel area was nice an cold like normal.

Looks like it's sorted whatever it was so alls well that ends well.

Shame about the water though, it was posh stuff from Italy, more expensive than a bottle of wine Rusty! 

 

[Early126]

Thanks for the replies, chaps...

I got back to Leeds this afternoon, exhausted a little worse for wear after a trip to Edinburgh so decided to take a risk and drive it home. I stuck to 40 mph and kept to the back roads rather than the motorway and watched out for any smoke on the way. All okay and home safely and the wheel area was nice an cold like normal.

Looks like it's sorted whatever it was so alls well that ends well.

Shame about the water though, it was posh stuff from Italy, more expensive than a bottle of wine Rusty! 

 

But you are going to investigate further, right? 

[Bar Vitelli]

I guess I should do...or I could just pinch your Borrani wheels! Nice car! 

[Early126]

I guess I should do...or I could just pinch your Borrani wheels! Nice car! 

Make me an offer for the wheels !? 

[Kent126]

Hmmmm, you actually selling those wheels?

Tom

[Early126]

Hmmmm, you actually selling those wheels?

Tom

Id be interested in a trade, yes. I only have this set (!) so will need something to go on the car.
4*130, wide rear skinny front all with new rubber. Couple of flakes off paint, complete with hubcaps. PM me/

[Rusty's Uncle]

As we seem to have hijacked BVs thread I will just mention that I have a set of the early 126 wheel rims up in my loft should any one be interested 

[Bar Vitelli]

This is how eBay started...

How much are the early air cooled rims, Rusty?

[Rusty's Uncle]

This is how eBay started...

How much are the early air cooled rims, Rusty?

Sorry BV I forgot to say no time wasters please 
But as they are rare and in such good condition I would start the haggling at £20 a corner or how many pairs of RHD headlamps you want to swop