rear tires lockin' up

Hello to all you Tacoma lovers. I love my 2000 Tacoma 4x4, as well. But I have been having a hell of a time with my rear tires locking up when I slow down. It doesn't happen all the time, but quite often. I have a V-6 and a manual transmission. It locks up when I am in 2 wheel drive and when I am in 4 wheel drive. To unlock it, I usually have to back up a bit, or sometimes I can just reeve up the engine. I've taken it in to several shops and they've check the brakes, rear end, etc. and everyone is baffled. If any one out there in Tacoma land can offer any suggestions, I'd be forever grateful.

 

I had one of my wheels lock up on me recently...do you have all your lugs nuts on?

Mine happened when I slowed down also

 

Yep, all lug nuts present and accounted for, sir.

 

Maybe out of adjustment. Have you recently bought this truck or own it since new? If you bought it used its possible the owner adjusted the arm to the bpv.

 

Sounds like a dumb question but I was missing a lug nut and over time it had worked itself loose and was getting caught up in the drum brake assembly causing my tire to lock up

 

My only guess is that if its not the pads locking up then try lifting it of the ground free spin the wheels. Could be bad bearings.

 

I don't know if it makes any difference, but my Tacoma is a TRD ... a friend mentioned something about a "sticking" caliper? The last shop I went to said it wanted to perform an electronic diagnosis? Electronic....really?
Many thanks for the responses ...I'm still struggling. I'm afraid I'm about at my wits end - which means a trip to a Toyota dealership. I've tried "experienced" mechanics up to now (2-3) and they've all struck out. I was hoping I could get it fixed short of mortgaging my house!

 

Could it be an issue with the rear diff?

 

Rear lockers acting up?

 

I had this happen on my jeep and it ended up be a wheel bearing.

 

Pretty sure you have drums in the rear, so it wouldn't be a caliper nor pads as the rear is drum brakes with shoes......is your e-brake handle easy to pull or hard to pull? But like stated before jack the rear end up and spin the wheel with your hand, sounds like it's either the adjustment or wheel bearings.....if your truck is lifted could also be the brake proportioning valve

 

I'm inclined to agree with wheel bearing here. Bad spot on the bearing that is normally overcome by the motor. When you reduce output the friction on the bearing is enough to cause it to stick in that spot.

 

With the description of throwing it in reverse or powering through it, really sounds like it is the rear brakes, particularly the rear shoes not retracting fully.

Have you checked if the e-brake is setup correctly (enough cable slack when not engaged) and engages and disengages smoothly (nothing pinching or grabbing the cable)?

If those can be ruled out, then have to start looking at the wheel bearings, axle shafts and rear diff (incl. spider gears, carrier and pinion bearings, and, if you have it, the locker mechanism).

Have you tried dropping the rear driveshaft, driving around in 4WD and seeing if it still does it?

 

Have you inspected your brake lines? Maybe a crimp somewhere. Could be master cylinder malfunctioning also.

 

I had something similar happen to me a few months ago. My rear brakes where locked up and come to find out the pad had separated from shoe and got hung up in the drum. It surprised the hell outta me, I had never seen that before

 

Yeah, this. That's why you can get it to loosen when going into reverse, I'll bet.