For a week or so there's been this hot burning smell from the car. it seems to be coming from the front LH side wheel. This is after slow suburban driving, no heavy braking. Car has done 134k, it has AWD discs and calipers, new linings about 30k ago.
Any advice as to possible causes would be appreciated.

Leaking rear rocker cover? The fumes have to go somewhere . . .

If it is the brakes, pull the pads out and look for one worn more than the other, and perhaps compare to the other side of the car. Did you lube the guide pins when you did the brakes last?
If you detect uneven pad wear, it could be the guide pins, but if that side of the car shows more wear on the pads than the other side, it could be the calliper piston is seized and not allowing the pads to retract off the disc. Did you pop out the AWD calliper pistons when you got them to clean and check for scoring?

(Assuming the AWD brakes are second hand, parts like callipers really need a good dismantle and visual inspection before putting them on.)

Feel the wheels for heat after driving to determine if the brake is dragging.
Possibly a bearing??
Jack her up check for dragging or play.

OK, thanks, I'll check out those.

Feel the wheels for heat after driving to determine if the brake is dragging.


Last time I did this - checking wheel temperature - I burnt myself. lol Now I use a squirt bottle with water and look to see how fast the water evaporates.

i just jacked it up. The wheel doesn't seem to be dragging, and there doesn't seem to be any play that I could feel. I ran it for a while, looking at the engine, but it's hard to see the rear rocker cover.

Assuming the Left hand side as viewed from the drivers seat - there isn't a lot of oil leaks likely there, there is the coolant overflow - maybe a leak? - if the left hand is as viewed from the front of the car there is a veritable sieve of leaks that can make smell and smoke....

yeah it's the left as viewed from the drivers seat, ie, the passenger side.

yeah it's the left as viewed from the drivers seat, ie, the passenger side.

Check your brake fluid and transmission oil levels - that's the only leak I can think of at that side

Take the wheel off and look for tell tale marks, for either rubbing on the inside of the wheel, or any dust deposit from rubbing. Check the brake line, mud guard, rubber etc...
Can you tell what it smells like, oil burning or rubber/plastic.?
Check if you have had any oil leaks on the front exhaust, or leak from the oil filler cap.