881stgen

I did lots of searching on 4Runner 4WD binding, not working, etc but most of the results were ADD on newer vehicles. Plus I don't even know if this is a 4WD problem. If anyone knows of a good shop to take this too in the Tacoma, WA area I would really appreciate it.

Short story: Took my 86 5-speed (manual hubs) to drive in snow and get a Christmas tree. 4WD did awesome. Coming home, put it in 2WD, unlocked the hubs, and drove normally for about an hour. As I pulled into a town to get coffee I noticed even in neutral it would slow to a stop on its own. When I would accelerate it would take a LOT of effort and revving. When I let of the clutch the truck would shake and violently go into neutral. Pulled into a parking lot and thought maybe it's stuck in 4WD? So I re-lock the hubs (they were very hot to the touch, btw) and then drive around just fine in 4WD. It was raining, so pavement was slippery so didn't really bind during driving. Drove 45 minutes home no problem. Got home, put it back in 2WD and drove around for an hour no problem. Today going to Home Depot the problem just mysteriously came back and I barely made it home. There was a really bad smell of overheating something from underneath. I don't even know where to start on this! I think I probably ˟˟˟˟ed something up driving home but I needed to get home.

More detail....This seems to be super random. I've been in and out of 4WD before with no problems, and I have driven on LONG trips as well. On the recent trip I put it in 2WD after driving in the snow but on the way home, I saw an awesome looking muddy area so I put it back in 4WD and just spun the wheels through the mud, lots of puddle splashing etc. Put it back in 2WD and drove until I saw the problem. Also, the truck started shaking pretty back which is what I noticed first.

Today, it drove fine until I took it to the dump. It started to bind up, so I put it in and out of 4WD, reversed in 4WD, drove forward in 4WD, over and over again and then it started driving normal again. I stop to get coffee and it happens again. I can barely get it to through the coffee shop line. I do manage to drive it the 5 miles home, but it is really sketchy and takes lots of effort.

wallytoo

iTrader: (1)

sounds like a brake issue, as in a front caliper is sticking. rotor is probably now warped, too.

Thommo Thompson

perhaps the brake master cylinder is playing up, getting stuck in the braked poaition. this happens when the fluida arent changed regularly(no offence meant)
just see if raising the rear allows the wheels to rotate next time.

scope103

The "hot to the touch" does point to a front brake sticking (in 4wd you just powered through it).

Put it in neutral (use wheel chocks!!) and jack it up one corner at a time. Spin the wheel and see what you feel. If all four are grabbing, Thommo may have it.

881stgen

Wow. I hope that is the issue. That is actually something I could do myself. I got it a year ago and I didn't change the fluids, but I also hardly drive it. You guys are awesome!

Thommo Thompson

well, see the issue is the now damaged mechanical parts of the brakes not the fluid itself. its caused by the fluid but replacing it doesnt fix it. its now too late. ull probably need a new master cylinder i think.

881stgen

Yeah I assumed I messed something up. I'm just hopeful that it is the brake system. I can replace all those parts. It actually gives me a reason to convert to a bigger set of brakes since I've got 32s. I've read that all the parts from the 2nd Gen V6 bolt on pretty easy.

skypilot

iTrader: (1)

I am putting in T100 parts in my 88's. Bolt in with a little line bending, and you lose the brake fluid low signal.

881stgen

Would the T100 parts go into an 86 4cyl? Does it matter? What about the brake booster?

skypilot

iTrader: (1)

I do not see why not, I do not see too many changes to basic parts or structures.