Freeze-up/Seize up in the morning only

[afdude88]

2004 Ranger 4.0L FX4 (5-speed)

So I wasnt exactly sure where to post this thread so I'll just post it here. Lol

In the morning after I first start my truck and let it idle for at least a few minutes, I put 'er in gear and it seems like my parking brake is set. It isnt. I give 'er some more gas, at least 1/3 throttle, a loud pop, and my truck is free. It only does this when I first move 'er in the morning.

At first I thought that it may be my parking brake sticking in the cold. (10-20)degrees most mornings right now). So what I did was park my truck the night before while leaving the P-Brake OFF. Same issue.

I am really hoping that I dont have water contamination in my rear diff, that MAY explain the sticky drivetrain in the mornings. But about 11 months ago new bearings were installed in the rear diff and the fluid was changed to some HQ Synthetic from ford. (they did the work)\

Im hoping this is something simple or something I dont really have to worry about. This is my Daily Driver and I dont want anything to happen to 'er. Though if something is wrong I wouldnt mind taking 'er to the shop. I still got some warrenty mile left. 56,400ish Miles today. Gotta love that extended warrenty!!!

Any Help is Much Appreciated!!!!!


Maintenance Done To Truck
34,000 Mi - Front Left Wheel Bearing Went Out After Some Desert Fun West Of Salt Lake

43,000 Mi - Inner Tie Rod Ends Replaced, Rear Main Seal Replaced, Crankshaft Seal Replaced, Oil Pan Seal Replaced, New Bearings In Rear Axle

55,600 Mi - Idler Pulley Replaced, Starter Replaced (Defective Part!!!)

Oh and FYI - Her Name is Maria

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[snake]

Wow, you've had some big problems at low mileage, kinda strange. I suspect the brakes are freezing up, if the rear had water in it, it would damn near have to be full to lock up the rear end and then you would have a lot of other problems too. Next time its cold, try hitting the brakes pretty hard before you begin to move. If the brakes are frozen you should be able to break the ice between the shoes and drums (rear) or disc and caliper (front) with just brake pressure. If that works you'll know. If not I'll be pondering what else it could be...

Of course the real way to find the issue is to jack the truck up in the morning and see which wheel/s is/are frozen and go from there. But not much fun doing that in 15 degree weather.

 

[dasfinc]

I had my rear ebrake cables replaced under warranty for my 06 Mustang last month, Ford ebrake cables are known for sticking in cold weather IIRC.

 

[afdude88]

I'll Definitely try hitting the brakes next morning like you said. Even if it is that i cant believe it would take as much throttle as it does to unstick em

 

[kkjb4x4.0]

Yeah my 97 used to do that too,pretty sure they freeze up over night but wouldnt hurt to pull a drum and check out the shoes.

 

[Srphatness]

I had the same problem

I had the same problem. The rear brakes would lock up bad. Both time it was related to the E brake system

Note: irregular pad wear ( ) if the top side of the rear pad is wearing faster, this is your first indicator that the problem is e brake related

1. Make sure the E brake cable is fully releasing, if it get the slightest hole in the casing it will begin rusting out and freezing up quickly (Ive gone through 2)

2. Clean the mating surfaces between the E brake actuator (the thing the e brake cable is connected to) and the rear brake pad well with steel wool and some brake cleaner, lightly grease the mating surfaces to prevent the rust.

Hope this helps

 

[upnsmoke]

Be careful. Check out what happened here-link.

 

[Andy D]

that may explain why the backing plates on my 94 are in great shape but the wheel cylinders and brake hard ware was toast. Simple, they were replaced.