I have a 2005 LR3 with 118K miles. Early this morning I was driving home on the freeway doing around 78 mph, suddenly my entire car began to vibrate. This happened about 45 miles into my drive. I pulled over thinking I may have a flat or a wheel coming off. I walked around the car and everything appeared normal. I continued on and the vibrating was gone. About ten minutes went by and it did it again. I pulled over again and saw nothing. I pulled away slowly on to the freeway and traveled at about 50 mph. In approximately ten minutes the vibration came back. But this time I did some checking before pulling over. The steering felt fine. Turning the steering wheel from left to right did not effect the vibrating. Neither was going faster or slower. However, I began to smell hot metal. I pulled over, and quickly grabbed my flashlight, and I noticed light smoke coming from my rear, driver's side wheel well. When I looked at the rotor it was glowing red. I sat there for a few minutes. I then checked the other wheels and they appeared fine. I then continued at around 40 mph. The vibrating did not return.

I live in the city. I suspect that stop and go traffic, along with quick bursts on the freeway, were not enough for the vibrating to occur. However, prolonged high speed travel, is heating up something enough to cause major vibration. Also, my brakes are working normally, even when vibrating. Steering appears normal. Also, the last time it was in the shop, they noticed a light whirring sound when driving. I was thinking possibly a frozen caliper?

Any other ideas?

 

I would carefully be looking at upper and lower suspension arms, you could have a lot of wheel play as a result of worn out ones. Then I would look at the lower steering joint, many including myself have replaced that. Then I would look at all your ball joints, and the inner and outer tie rod ends.

As far as the brakes and calipers, you could check temperatures and see if one is running hotter. The emergency brakes can cause some issues, do you use them?

Whirring, could be a lot of stuff, differential, A/C pump, power steering, alternator.. need more info.

At that mileage it would also not be unusual to need a drive shaft.

It goes without saying that you should have your wheel balance checked as well.

 

Really? Sounds like either a caliper issue or the EPB drum to me, straight up.

How many driveshafts have failed? One or two? All your suggestions are good tips for general inspection, however.

 

Ya, quite a few... but you may be right. You can't ever be to sure with these trucks. It will be interesting to see. I did add EPB / Brakes to the list. LOL

 

...not a lot of failed driveshafts reported on the forum; that's my only source of info.

I replaced my (rear) shaft earlier this year, but that was just because I wanted to.

 

Thanks for your input. The whirring sound is coming from the same wheel.

 

Rear drive shaft at approx 50k, look for it slinging grease and rubber broken around carrier bearing

 

Linebacker - I had the same issue about a month ago (same wheel, smoking but not red). My parking brake was out of adjustment and dragging on the drum. I recommend removing the drum and checking the shoe for damage. If no damage, clean it up and adjust it per Bodsy's Brake Bible. If unfamiliar, a google search will bring up Bodsy's guide in pdf format.

 

Yes. This. I had the exact same issue as this. Was my parking brake as well. Just after I replaced pads and rotors.

 

Turns out the pad popped out and was rubbing on the rotor. replaced the pads and rotor and everything is working fine. Thank you!!!