Occasional stuck/bang noise when starting off...

[marc11]

Sorry, not sure where to post this since I am not sure what the problem is. I "think" it is the rear brake sticking, but not sure. On occasion, once a week or less, and seems to happen when it rains or is really cold, when I start the truck after sitting over night or while at work and go to pull away the truck will hesitate in moving and then I hear a bang noise and it goes.

This is a 4.0 with the 5 speed. I can feel the clutch engage and I can feel the truck trying to move, it is like something is holding it back, then it makes a bang and moves normal. Never happens again for the rest of the drive. It feels as if the emergency brake is still on, but it isn't. I've also noticed that it seems to happen after or during a rain storm and or when the temps have dipped below 30 degrees. It doesn't happen everyday either, once in a while.

Any thoughts on what to focus on? As an FYR I have changed the rear diff fluid to 80/90 full synthetic, did not put any friction modifiers in, doubt that it the issue, but do not recall this happening before the fluid change.

 

[99ranger4x4]

i would check the ring and pinion. mine did this and it was the rearend. i chipped a tooth on the ring and pinion.

 

[marc11]

Ugh, I so hope that is not the case. I know NOTHING about rear ends.

 

[ghost_rader]

try to park it without the parking brake on if you can and see if it still does it.

or in the morning one day jack it up and release the park brake and try to spin the wheels. if one is stuck wiggle the cable and see if it comes loose

 

[marc11]

That is what I did this morning. It is raining out today too and it did it this AM, so I am going to try parking without the brake on for a few days and see. Lifting it is a good idea too, the problem is, it only happens once in a while. Really hope it is just a sticky brake.

 

[pocket-rocket]

My one car used to do that. I know it's not the same as it being your truck, but it ended up being a caliper on my car. Just another idea thrown out there. Hopefully it's not your rear end.

 

[JohnPi]

The rear shoes are made with a material that will absorb a little bit of moisture from the air and swell. This might explain the sticking, and why it goes away after you start to drive. My buddy with a '96 Ranger has just about the exact problem your describing. I'd also check out the adjuster mech in the rear brakes.

 

[pocket-rocket]

The rear shoes are made with a material that will absorb a little bit of moisture from the air and swell. This might explain the sticking, and why it goes away after you start to drive. My buddy with a '96 Ranger has just about the exact problem your describing. I'd also check out the adjuster mech in the rear brakes.

That makes sense as well. I couldn't get the drums off the axle I bought from the JY for my truck off for the life of me since they were stuck on so bad. I had to finally let the engine turn them over to get them to bust loose to check out the brake hardware to make sure it was all good before calling the truck done.