wheels bound up after wheeling.

[tbunch]

Hey all, odd question, figured I'd probe for any similar experiences on here. 94 ranger (B4000) 4.0, 4x4, did some light wheeling over the weekend, truck did great, drove it home without any issues and parked it all day Sunday. This morning I went out about 6am to go to work, popped the e-brake off and put the manual trans in neutral to roll backwards like every day... nothing. So I give it a little gas and it was like I had wheel chocks behind me.

Get out to see if the neighbor kids stuck something under my wheels and do a general visual inspection and all seems normal, manual hubs were unlocked, should have been all set. Get back in and double check the e-brake (re-engage and disconnect again) Seems fine, put it in reverse and gave it some gas. revved pretty good (bout 3k) I hear a significant pop noise and the car is free to roll now.

Another quick visual inspection and everything seems ok, drove it 20mi to work listening the whole way and no erratic noises or anything. The oddest thing it did was nearly lock up my wheels the first time I touched the brakes, fine after that. I plan on doing a thorough check over later, but had to get to work. Anyone ever have anything similar happen? I know the brakes were pretty heated up and faded after coming down the canyon, but I've never had brakes get stuck to a drum or rotor after parking before. it was pouring rain while wheeling and while it was parked so rust maybe? Again, never had rust do anything like this before.

Thoughts if you have them, thanks!

 

[RonD]

That is an odd one since E-brakes do not hold well when reversing, which is why you can often back out of a parking space with e-brake on and not notice it, when when you try to go forward you can't so notice it, and release the e-brake

Could of got some brush pulling on e-brake cable 4-wheeling, but I think you would have noticed it right away

 

[Elutheros]

Did you go through any significant water during the wheeling? I've had the E-brakes stick after being wet and parked overnight.

 

[tbunch]

wouldn't say I hit any significant water as far as deep puddles or mudholes, but it was pouring rain the whole time. The rear drums and shoes are all new (along with practically every other part of the whole truck) so the e-brake holds really tight. I'm thinking the hot brakes mixed with the water caused some rust after sitting for about 36 hours and since the brakes sit flush against the new drums it all probably just held it tight, I've just never had rust actually hold a vehicle in place before, it struck me as odd.

 

[Mightyfordranger]

Here in ohio iev had trucks that have been. Sitting for a few years have there rotors get so rusty that it holds the truck in place even under half throttle conditions but that takes years

Edit: also there could have been a rock stuck in your brakes as well possibly could have damaged your rear brake hardware definitely worth the look

 

[Haywire6000]

Shoes bound up in the drums. Happens to mine if I go through mud then set the brake and leave it for a while. Also worn drums can cause that to if the shoe is sitting inside the worn away area.

 

[pjtoledo]

it doesn't happen often, but rust can seize a shoe to a drum over night.
and yes, they lock real good in both forward and reverse.

 

[ridgerunner]

I had an 1990 F150 with drums and it would lock up so solid that even in 4 low it would not move, nearly snapped a driveshaft U joint! I used a med. size hammer and tapped (hard) on the inside of the rear brakes next to the axle to free them. The shoe material swells when wet, even a humid day would put U through the windshield when U breathed on the brakes. Take them off and clean, service, and adjust them as best as U can. Thing is if U adjust them too far out they won't help much when U need them to stop. Drums suck!

 

[BLOODBANE]

Check (visual) both sides of the rear (drums). You may have something caught in between the shoe and drum, or had something come loose (retaining spring, spring keeper, etc). Sounds like the rear is expanded and bound up. I had an old 73 (drums all around) that lost a spring keeper (the nail looking thing that goes from the backing plate through to hold the springs). The brakes expanded (like using the brakes). Had to drive it home like that, and it ate everything away (like driving with the brakes on).