Front right wheel shakes and cannot accelerate after very hot

Tiny
ED OWEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 ACURA LEGEND
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
After driving my car listed above Coupe for over 30 minutes at highway speeds, it feels like the front right wheel comes out of balance, and I can't accelerate. I've been using the car locally for two years like this with no issues at all, as long as I don't go highway speeds for over 30 minutes. If I let the car cool off, then it's fine again for another 30 minutes at highway speed.

This happened to another 1993 Legend Coupe I had years ago and as I faintly remember, was fixed when an old Acura Master mechanic said the "Nipple" (I think)" needed to be replaced. That it would get a groove that the wheel assembly would drop into when hot and wobble (I think).

The only thing is I can't find him, and no current mechanic has a clue about what I'm talking about, or what a "Nipple" is on a driving wheel. The car only has a little over 100k miles on it and I need it fixed.

Please help.
Thursday, May 26th, 2022 AT 11:58 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,289 POSTS
Hi,

Like the others, I'm not sure what a nipple would be on the drive wheel would be, but what you described sounds like you have a brake caliper that is slightly hanging up and causing excessive heat to be produced at that wheel. When this happens, have you ever noticed excessive heat from the wheel in question?

What can happen is this. If there is a drag on the brake at the wheel, it will produce more heat than is desired. Excessive heat causes brake fluid to expand which will cause the brake to slowly apply itself. That would explain the difficulty of accelerating. The vibration you get is simply from the rotor being overheated and under pressure.

When this happens, has anyone lifted the front wheels off the ground to see if one of the wheels won't turn? If not, that is what needs to be done.

Now here is where I'm questioning what may have been mentioned to you. If there is a wheel that won't turn, you can loosen the bleeder valve to see if it releases pressure. (Perhaps the bleeder is what you are thinking was referred to as a nipple). If it does, then we know it is overheating and causing the issue. At that point, we would need to determine if it is related to a caliper that is partially stuck or if the rubber brake hose is failing.

I don't know if that makes sense, but I believe this is what is happening.

Let me know if you have questions. Also, let me know if you ever noticed excessive heat, an odd smell, and as much as you can think of that may help me.

I attached an exploded view of the brake caliper for your vehicle and highlighted the bleed screw. I suspect this is what you are referring to. By the way, replacing that would not fix the issue. However, it will be used to determine if the problem is at the caliper or a different component. Also, it could be referred to as a nipple.

I hope this makes sense. LOL Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Thursday, May 26th, 2022 AT 7:20 PM
Tiny
ED OWEN
  • MEMBER
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Oops, did I say nipple? Meant Spindle. But the other mechanics were not sure what a Spindle is on a drive wheel. I am very confident this problem is not brake related. They are fine, with pads and rotors replaced since this started happening. No excessive heat or uneven wear on pads or rotors.
No excessive heat at that wheel when the problem occurs. Also, I remember the solution last time when this occurred and was fixed on my first Legend that it was not brake related. Whatever that mechanic was talking about, about the groove and the heat making the wheel fall into it was correct. Because for a couple hundred dollars, he fixed it and I drove that car another 100,000 miles.
I'm considering replacing that half-axle. Or maybe the knuckle.
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Thursday, May 26th, 2022 AT 9:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,289 POSTS
Hi,

There is a spindle and a steering knuckle. If it had to do with the spindle, chances are it was the wheel bearing that was replaced. Does that sound familiar? The wheel bearing is pressed into the steering knuckle.

I can't see how the steering knuckle in and of itself could cause these symptoms. However, the wheel bearing which the axle spindle rides, could. Does any of that sound familiar?

On a non-FWD vehicle, the spindle is part of the steering knuckle. See pic 1.

On your vehicle, the front-drive axle pushes through the wheel bearing which is located in the steering knuckle, and it is secured with a spindle nut. In my mind, that portion of the axle functions as the spindle. See pic 2. I highlighted the knuckle on your vehicle. Note there is a spindle nut in the pic, but the axle isn't shown. That nut secures the axle to the knuckle.

Let me know your thoughts. I'm trying. LOL

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Friday, May 27th, 2022 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
ED OWEN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I know it wasn't the bearing, it was what was called the spindle, but I've found that, depending on the mechanic, the spindle is either the end of the CV axle, or the knuckle. But like I said I'm due for a CV axle replacement due to torn boots and chattering CV's, so I'll see if that fixes it. If not, I'll try to find a knuckle to replace (out of production) and change it.
The question is should I replace the bearing also when I replace the axle? How hard a job is that? Thanks for all your help.
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Monday, May 30th, 2022 AT 11:24 AM
Tiny
ED OWEN
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But if the knuckle were causing it, that would mean the entire bearing was "dropping" into a grove in the knuckle, and I find that hard to believe. Your thoughts?
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Monday, May 30th, 2022 AT 11:27 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,289 POSTS
Hi,

That is correct. In this case, the spindle is the end of the CV axle. As far as the knuckle, I doubt there is anything wrong with it. It is likely the bearing itself.

On a front-wheel-drive vehicle, there isn't a traditional spindle that is part of the knuckle.

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, May 30th, 2022 AT 7:07 PM

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