Brake Question

[hero419]

For a while now my rear left brake locks up once in a while.
It will drag the tire in forward and then release when I back up.
Other symptoms include a soft pedal.
Also the ABS light has been on for many years.

Where should I start to look? I don't seem to be loosing any fluid.
Should I just do a complete rear brake rebuild?
-Cylinders
-Flex lines
-pads
-spring kit

If so, is there a company that has a kit available that includes all the needed parts?

Or is it something like a master cylinder?

1999 super cab 4.0

Thanks in advance.

P.S. my three year old is watching me type and asked me to add an emoticon, so here it is.

 

[pontiacfieroguy]

im by no means a brake expert but to me it sounds like either a broken spring or the self adjuster may need replaced.

 

[modelageek]

For a while now my rear left brake locks up once in a while.
It will drag the tire in forward and then release when I back up.
Other symptoms include a soft pedal.
Also the ABS light has been on for many years.

Where should I start to look? I don't seem to be loosing any fluid.
Should I just do a complete rear brake rebuild?
-Cylinders
-Flex lines
-pads
-spring kit

If so, is there a company that has a kit available that includes all the needed parts?

Or is it something like a master cylinder?

1999 super cab 4.0

Thanks in advance.

P.S. my three year old is watching me type and asked me to add an emoticon, so here it is.

Do you have an auto or the 5 speed. You can buy brake parts anywhere. My guess is you might have a sticking e-brake cable or spring. my left rear wheel would stay locked up after i used the ebrake. I replaced the cable in about 20 minutes. it solved the problem. I would pull the drum off and take a look.

these trucks have a abs/vss sensor in the differential. they are known to go bad. the symptoms usually include a weird speedo and if you have an auto tranny the shifting can get screwy. it is an easy fix $20

*for online stores rockauto.com is great

 

[hero419]

The E-brake does lock up if I use it, thanks.
It also locks up without using the E-brake.

Its an auto.

The ABS light started coming on years ago when I would get all tires to spin in the snow (plowing), it would reset itself when I shut off the truck and restarted it. Then It just stayed on for good.
Do I need to take the cover off of the diff to get at the sensor?
Just wondering if I need to pick up any lube to refill the diff if that's the case.

I think I will have a chance to pull the drum tomorrow after work.
That would be great if it is just the E-brake cable.


Thanks again.

 

[hero419]

oh, and no screwy speedo or shifting

 

[modelageek]

The E-brake does lock up if I use it, thanks.
It also locks up without using the E-brake.

Its an auto.

The ABS light started coming on years ago when I would get all tires to spin in the snow (plowing), it would reset itself when I shut off the truck and restarted it. Then It just stayed on for good.
Do I need to take the cover off of the diff to get at the sensor?
Just wondering if I need to pick up any lube to refill the diff if that's the case.

I think I will have a chance to pull the drum tomorrow after work.
That would be great if it is just the E-brake cable.


Thanks again.

it is probably not the sensor on the diff. the sensor is at the top of the differential I will try and include a pic. there is a filler gpug halfway up the diff. fill with gear oil until it starts to come out. the abs sensors at the front wheels are probably acting up you can try and clean them. some people just pull the fuse and don't have abs.

it's the black thing at the top left of the pic. it is held on with one 10mm bolt that you can just see in the pick

 

[adsm08]

I'd find out what your ABS code is, and inspect the rear brakes and go from there. Getting all four wheels spinning will turn the ABS light on, doing it enough times may set a code.

 

[hero419]

Got home and had enough time to pull one drum.
(had to take kid to DR.)

The shoes fell apart when I got the drum off.
could mean one of two thinks I guess.
Either the E-brake was stuck on or it has been 78,000 miles since the drum had been off.
I am going with the latter, I have had the truck since 13,000 miles and I never did it.

Also the cylinder is leaking.

Guess I gotta make a trip to the auto parts store.

 

[hero419]

I made a parts list and would like to make only one trip so please verify I got everything:
-Drums
-Shoes
-Spring kit
-Adjuster kit
-Wheel cylinders
-E brake cable L&R
-Brake cleaner

Thanks

 

[modelageek]

I made a parts list and would like to make only one trip so please verify I got everything:
-Drums
-Shoes
-Spring kit
-Adjuster kit
-Wheel cylinders
-E brake cable L&R
-Brake cleaner

Thanks

Have you tried to remove the brake line from the wheel cylinder? what shape are the brake lines in ?

 

[hero419]

I have seen worse.
I think they will break free ok.

 

[hero419]

How does everyone feel about me taking a power washer to both sides before I start to dismantle everything?
You should see this mess.
Do you think I will get grease and grime everywhere or do you think it will stay confined to the wheel well?

 

[adsm08]

Pressure washer will make a mess everywhere. Just buy more brake clean.

 

[robertc1024]

Dude - if you've got a leaking brake cylinder your drum pads are shot. They'll grab like crap and fry themselves. Please replace the cylinders.

 

[hero419]

Got it all done.
Replaced everything but the E-brake cable.
They were not in stock so I left it disconnected for now.
I bet it's been 2-3 years since that truck had rear brakes.
All kinds of parts came out of the drum when I pulled it off.
broken springs and separated pads to name a few.
Guess I should take a look at the wife's Escape one of these days.

I must say it was half the price of my VW Vanagon rear brakes, but twice as complicated.