koenig

Hey, first time poster long time reader. I used the search and couldn't find exactly what I am experiencing. I have a 98 4runner sr5 4wd, manual. In cold and wet weather the rear brakes would sometime get a little jumpy and grab real hard. Usually this only lasts the first few brakes and once I get going it stops... Until yesterday, we had pretty substantial cold weather with quite a bit of snow. My rear brakes kept grabbing really hard and in some cases locking completely, taking a bit of force from throttle or pumping the brakes to unbind. Anyone have any experience with this? I am taking it in next Tuesday, but the guy seemed as stumped as I was. (I am mechanically inclined) so i was hoping to get some ideas to help the search and narrow the labor time. Any help would be appreciated!

Ed H.

really not sure i would say maybe a proportioning valve, i have only had problems with my front brakes locking up because the rears were not adjusted right. good luck

koenig

Well at the very least I will mention this and report back tues!

Ironmike4x4

Get your rear drums resurfaced. What happens in the drum is out of round. When it contracts the shoes tend to grab to the low side but when it gets hot the drums expand eliminating the problem temporarily. I've fixed quite a few of these in the shop.

etan

did you drive through heavy water or mud or anything like that? it may be because there is fluid freezing in you drums overnight. it just may be as simple as that!!!

5-spd for life!

Dude I had the same problem about a year ago. I took the brakes off expecting to see some abnormal pad wear, or something brake related. But what I saw was a very small rear axle seal leak that just seeped enough oil to get some onto the drum shoes which would cause the brake lockup. This would only happen when it was cold and I first started down the street. Upon the first brake application one rear tire would grab and sometimes lockup causing my 4runner to basically skid to a stop.

I fixed this by unbolting the rear drum assembly and removing the axle shaft to get to the rear axle seal. Just used a simple slid hammer and popped the old seal out and put a new one in with a socket and a hammer. Once that was done I replaced the shoes and cleaned the drums and I never have had the problem since. Simple and easy to fix, but we can't forget about the best part of it all...CHEAP!!!

dunedog

I found this site after having the same problem. My right rear wheel would lock up in cold and wet conditions after I applied the brakes. Putting it in reverse would help unlock it. My mechanic "turned the drum" and completely solved the problem. I had also seen this solution on another site. Hope this helps someone else.

dport

I had this two weeks ago. I had been wheeling the day before and sloshed through a good bit of water. I also rinsed the under side of my truck for about 30 mins when I got back. I had snow on the ground the next moring and it wouldn't budge. I assumed there was still water, now ice everywhere under the truck and just sprayed water over the rear end/drum area for about 10 mins. It took care of the problem.

koenig

Hey, sorry to take so long to reply. Yeah I had the drums turned and replaced the rest. There was also a leak so I got the best of both worlds. All taken care of though. Thanks for the help.