Rear brake shoe freezing up??

[Canuck4x4]

I have been having a problem with my 03 xlt ranger this winter. If the temperature warms up and goes above the freezing mark...then suddenly drops again the rear passenger brake is stuck on the next morning..Happened again this morning. had to put in 4x4 and put it in reverse and give it a bit of gas to unlock it.
This is a very unsettling experience. I have " not " been using the parking brake at all. I have had several explanations to what it could be..either bad shoes or a bad wheel cylinder. Any other explanation? I had new drums, shoes and hold down kits installed about a year ago.
Thanks

 

[35Remmy]

I used to have this problem, even after replacing wheel cylinders, shoes, drums, hardware, proper adjustment etc. What fixed it believe it or not was bringing the vehicle to speed and then applying the emergency brake 3 or 4 times. Never happened again. Its counterintuitive bc you would think that it was deglazing which would provide better stopping power, making the sticking problem worse.

 

[35Remmy]

Are your brakes 100% drum or disc with drum on the inside for e-brake only?

 

[Canuck4x4]

Are your brakes 100% drum or disc with drum on the inside for e-brake only?

...100% drum. This is my 3rd winter with it..never had a problem the first two winters. It being annoying is a true understatement...lol

 

[Canuck4x4]

I used to have this problem, even after replacing wheel cylinders, shoes, drums, hardware, proper adjustment etc. What fixed it believe it or not was bringing the vehicle to speed and then applying the emergency brake 3 or 4 times. Never happened again. Its counterintuitive bc you would think that it was deglazing which would provide better stopping power, making the sticking problem worse.

How fast were you going when you applied the emergency brake? Were you going forward or reverse?

 

[8thTon]

Are you sure it's the brake freezing? I've had my tires freeze to the ground several times this year thanks to the rapid shifts from rain & flood to frozen solid. Mine is parked on grass & gravel though.

 

[Denisefwd93]

I know you said you don't use it but it sounds like classic rusty parking brake cable.

 

[Canuck4x4]

I know you said you don't use it but it sounds like classic rusty parking brake cable.

...I replaced the cable a year ago.

 

[Canuck4x4]

Are you sure it's the brake freezing? I've had my tires freeze to the ground several times this year thanks to the rapid shifts from rain & flood to frozen solid. Mine is parked on grass & gravel though.

It's the brakes. First time this happened I thought my rear end was shot.I put it in drive and I didnt move. I thought my rear tire was frozen to the ground. I put it in 4x4 and the truck was literally dragging itself sideways down my driveway. I was giving it lots of gas and was only going about 5 mph with the rear dragging itself. I put it in reverse and eventually it broke free. Buddy at work said my drum is probably freezing up. He told me to park my truck at night so that I would have fo put it in reverse to back out of my driveway in the morning. I have been doing this all winter with good results. As long as it stays cold outside it's ok. As soon as it gets mild outside then freezes again...I dread putting it in reverse the next morning.

 

[Denisefwd93]

"Any other explanation? I had new drums, shoes and hold down kits installed about a year ago."

Take it back to they that did the work!

OR!

Put on some warm clothes, gloves and get out there take it apart, and find out what's wrong!

 

[mikkelstuff]

Exactly why I converted to the Mustang GT rear disc brakes. No more of that frozen brake nonsense.

https://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179079

 

[Canuck4x4]

Exactly why I converted to the Mustang GT rear disc brakes. No more of that frozen brake nonsense.

https://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179079

...I actually read somewhere online ( of course I can not find it now), that this is only prone to Ford trucks with drum brakes and this has been an issue in the past. The girlfriends deceased father apparently had the same problem years ago with a f150.

 

[Canuck4x4]

"Any other explanation? I had new drums, shoes and hold down kits installed about a year ago."

Take it back to they that did the work!

OR!

Put on some warm clothes, gloves and get out there take it apart, and find out what's wrong!

...yeah, I plan on taking it in

 

[Dirtman]

Have you tried cursing at it?

 

[Canuck4x4]

Have you tried cursing at it?

...plenty of times in fact ,over the last few years. It's never a dull moment...lol