98 Ranger 4.0 5 speed rear brakes locking up

[MikeB75]

Hey guys. I have a 1998 Ford Ranger 4 cylinder 5 speed. My rear brakes are locking up when I come to a stop at a light or stop sign is when it's happening also if I apply the brakes it skids when I barely press the pedal and pulls to the right. When I press the gas I have to rev the engine and it drags the back end until it frees up. I've also noticed when turning to the right at slow speeds it makes a grinding noise. Figured I'd put it out there and hear your suggestions or solutions for this problem I'm not to mechanical inclined but I'm going to learn real fast because my wallet can't afford to pay a mechanic at the moment and I need the truck to get to work. Any help is appreciated. Thanks guys

 

[Dirtman]

Most likely cause is a leaking wheel cylinder causing the shoes to swell. But the only way to be 100% sure its to take the drums off and have a look.

 

[55trucker]

Honestly........if you're not mechanically knowledgeable & don't have any proper experience where a vehicles brakes are concerned take the truck to a shop & have it inspected there. If there is one vehicle component you do NOT want to do incorrectly it's the brakes.

*The life you save may be your own*

 

[MikeB75]

Honestly........if you're not mechanically knowledgeable & don't have any proper experience where a vehicles brakes are concerned take the truck to a shop & have it inspected there. If there is one vehicle component you do NOT want to do incorrectly it's the brakes.

*The life you save may be your own*

I'm not going to go at it alone a friend of mine is going to help me he knows more than I do when it comes to cars. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Jazzer]

Pro tip: after loosening lugnuts, raise rear axle, put on jack stands, remove wheels and drums. You may have to crack open wheel cylinder bleeders and adjust the star wheels to loosen drums. Having both sides open allows you to reference the position of springs and other parts while working on the opposite side. Take lots of pictures from all angles before removing anything, you’ll be happy you did. Google images has lots of pictures of your brakes, too.
Good luck! and come back with any questions.

-Jazzer

 

[MikeG]

In the same boat, rear brakes on my truck just started hanging up last couple of times I drove it. Dang it..... about to tear into that.

@#$%#$% things only lasted 24 years, what gives???????

 

[19Walt93]

Leaking axle seals can cause the rear brakes to grab, too, as can sticking parking brake cables. Inspect everything, it would suck to do a rear brake job and then have the parking brake stick after you're done.

 

[MikeB75]

Leaking axle seals can cause the rear brakes to grab, too, as can sticking parking brake cables. Inspect everything, it would suck to do a rear brake job and then have the parking brake stick after you're done.

That's exactly what my problem was had a bad emergency brake cable disconnected the passenger side e brake and fixed my leaking axle seals runs great now has a bit of power back in it now brakes aren't grabbing anymore getting better gas mileage again

 

[Jazzer]

Mike B75,

If you’re saying you’ve left your e-brakes inoperative, please get them in good working order. If your truck is a ‘98, you may get rusted brake lines or a master cylinder failure and lose hydraulic braking and t-bone a taco truck. Being able to use your EMERGENCY brakes would save you and the taco truck workers all that grief. Just looking out.

-Jazzer