Sudden noise and asbestos smell after driving in snow?

[Mr. Flibble]

I was up and around Mt. Rainer last weekend, and the pass had a large amount of snow on it. When I came down back into normal "rain forest" terrain, there was a sudden squeaking that sounded like a drive belt slipping. I could smell what seemed like asbestos (what you get when you burn your clutch in a standard transmission) I applied the brakes, and pulled over, the squeaking went away - leading me to believe it may have been brake related. I pulled over a little after that and checked my drive belt tension, which was fine.

The thing is, it sounded like a slipping belt, but my belts were dry, and I can't be certain, but I believe that applying my brakes caused it to diminish and go away.

My best guess is that I got something caught in the front right brake calipers and that was causing the noise, and then having applied the brakes I dislodged the obstruction.

Could I be looking in the wrong area? Has anyone had a similar sudden noise and smell with their L400?

[mrdueck]

No l400 experience...yet. But your AC has a clutch as well and if it is slipping gives a similar smell. I've had this experience in another vehicle. Your AC should kick in occasionally on defrost, particularley in zero degree weather +/- 10 degrees.

[jessef]

Could be your slider(s) on the brake caliper were a little stuck causing the caliper to drag on the rotor - squealing noise / brake dust smell. Pressing them would squeeze the caliper and move it on the sliders.

[thelazygreenfox]

Mr. F
Similar thing happened to me driving onto a fraser River gravel bar for a days fishing. Throwaway fishing line became tangled around my rear parking/disk brake causing a loud squeaking sound
after driving through a deep water filled trench. I crawled under, removed the fish line and the squeak stopped. very simple but amazing it could happen at all.
Wayne
TLGF

[Mr. Flibble]

Just had my oil changed... My A/C belt broke! That is the noise that I heard.

It might also explain why my A/C is not cold. My guess is that the belt was poorly adjusted? Or maybe the compressor is gone which caused the belt to break?

I also had an issue with my new Boshi oil filter - it was leaking as soon as oil was poured into it at the bolt!!!! (But I leave that for another post).

I figure I am going to need to replace all my drive belts now that one has snapped. Where can I find the correct belt sizes for the 4M40 with a A/C unit in Canada?