Quite a Scare This Morning In My Truck

[jhammel85]

I was driving about 60 MPH in the rain on the highway this morning when I lost control of my truck. Luckily I handled it fine and kept going but I was pretty rattled after it happened.

The cars in front of me slammed on their brakes and I did the same. I didn't push as hard as I can but I pressed pretty hard. The right side of my truck kicked out while I had a car right on me and a tractor trailer next to me. The truck kicked out pretty far and I almost over corrected it but gained control and kept moving along like nothing happened.

I bet anything, I have a leaky wheel cyl or something on the right side of the truck. I don't have ABS (even though it was standard in 87, I have an early 87 with a 10/86 build date) but my A/T Tires have about 40% tread in the back. If a wheel cylinder isn't to blame, what else would cause the back brakes to lock up so easy? No weight? To me, It REALLY felt like one was still moving and one was locked..I know that sounds odd, but it did

..So in other words, on my lunch break, I will be checking out my rear brakes. If the cyl is bad, it'll get replaced this weekend with new shoes since they get contaminated so easily.

Don't you just love crapping your pants 1st thing in the morning?

 

[bmerr98]

Yikes! That'll sure wake you up for work! Glad you were able to get through it damage free. You and your cat-like reflexes...

 

[1994Ranger$$$pit]

My rear barkes used to lock up the first few times I would use them when it was raining hard. This happened up until I changed them when I noticed the parking brake cable was sticking and holding them on for a while after I disenged it.

Did the cable and brake shoes last year and don't have any issues now.

 

[doorgunner]

I was driving about 60 MPH in the rain on the highway this morning when I lost control of my truck. Luckily I handled it fine and kept going but I was pretty rattled after it happened.

Don't you just love crapping your pants 1st thing in the morning?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.............Memories......

reminds me of my 1st time in combat.............

 

[jhammel85]

Yeah it was a scare all right...In a way a little funny because this morning, before i left, I thought "do I need coffee? Nah, I'll be OK. I'll get it when I'm at work".

...That was all the waking up I needed...

 

[97RangerXLT]

wow...nothing like a little adrenaline to get your day started.

Had something similar happen to me, but the conditions were loose gravel road and a deer running out in front of me. Nothing behind me and a ditch on either side.

The thought that went through my head was (after getting it straight again and checking my shorts) was "that could have completely undone all that airconditioning repair that I did the previous month"

As for skidding, your brakes might be fine, wet pavement and no weight in the rear + jamming on the brakes = skid.

Still wouldn't hurt to check them out tho.

AJ

 

[jhammel85]

wow...nothing like a little adrenaline to get your day started.

Had something similar happen to me, but the conditions were loose gravel road and a deer running out in front of me. Nothing behind me and a ditch on either side.

The thought that went through my head was (after getting it straight again and checking my shorts) was "that could have completely undone all that airconditioning repair that I did the previous month"

As for skidding, your brakes might be fine, wet pavement and no weight in the rear + jamming on the brakes = skid.

Still wouldn't hurt to check them out tho.

AJ

Damn Deer! They're a problem near me since we're in the sticks. This time of year they're darting all over.

And yeah, you could be right about the brakes. The curve is a tiny bit banked too. It's just that something didn't seem right and I usually have a good feeling for my truck. My Ranger Senses are Tingling! I guess I'll find out in about an hr or so during lunch. I just want to know.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Glad it worked out alright.
I think your right about checking into mechanical problems contributing to your slide. Other factors are the crown on the road - loads the left side, were you turning at the time - loads the side opposite. Braking accentuates this loading and suddenly your turning much faster than planned. One of the techniques in rally is to do a slight left turn before making a sharp right. This loads the front left tire and you can make a much sharper right turn than if you just turned right like ordinarily.
Many years ago I had a close call in my dad's comet. It pulled to the right when braking. I was traveling on a single lane, deep ditches, with oncoming traffic when the car in front came to a panic stop. I locked up the brakes and knew I was going to hit the car in front. I lifted off the brakes a bit and turn right and luckily there was a driveway for a gas station there. Like I was in a slot car the comet turned into the driveway and I was able to come to a stop. For years after I wondered how I was able to make that turn and it was only when I took a course in race driving did I understand why/how what happened, did.
Time to check things out and find a deserted road to test on.
Again, glad you're OK,

Richard

 

[rangerbum]

Might just need the rear brakes adjusted. My drums have needed adjusted almost every time the weather changes by more than 25 degrees or so. But I'm picky about my brakes, they need to be spot on, or I'm not happy. But with a light rear end its difficult to get them dialed in. I have a somewhat heavy fiberglass tonneau cover that has made a huge of difference in the handling, ride quality, and braking in my truck.

 

[jhammel85]

Might just need the rear brakes adjusted. My drums have needed adjusted almost every time the weather changes by more than 25 degrees or so. But I'm picky about my brakes, they need to be spot on, or I'm not happy. But with a light rear end its difficult to get them dialed in. I have a somewhat heavy fiberglass tonneau cover that has made a huge of difference in the handling, ride quality, and braking in my truck.

Would misadjusted brakes cause them to lock up too easy? I would figure they would drag but I could be wrong. Don't they self adjust anyway, outside of the little wheel that you use to get them snug?

 

[jhammel85]

Regardless, I did find what is more than likely my problem. Even if it isn't it's gotta be taken care of...

Leaky Wheel Cylinder! One side is completely dry and one side has a thin coating of brake fluid. Reservoir is still pretty full so it's not losing much. So, I've got new shoes and a brake cylinder coming from Rockauto for about 20 bucks. Hardware is still good and new. Heck, it even still has the paint on it!

Lucky for me, I wont be driving the truck for about 2 weeks. My brother in law and i usually ride into work together and his '94 Ranger is road ready again. He's got to make some time up to me now! I can take my sweet time doing the brakes and cyl. Even a simple job like this bothers me on the weekends. I hate having to rush so it's ready by Monday.

 

[tmcalavy]

Wow, a brown-pants moment followed by a brown-shirt moment (spilled coffee) all in the same day...coupla shots of J. Daniels will do the trick so you can sleep tonight. Slow down and fix your wheel cylinders...hydroplaning sux...ruined a perfectly good 72 Montego MX that way once upon three decades ago.

 

[bmerr98]

Well lubed brakes will get you every time! Glad it wasn't anything earth shattering. Brakes and guns. Better to have and not need than need and not have.

 

[jhammel85]

Agreed!

 

[jhammel85]

alright... i somehow missed this at lunch. This is my problem... i knew something didnt feel right when i took off this morning. no wonder i lost control.

so for 25 bucks, that'll get fixed. other side is next!

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