Weird problem! 1 rear axel won't turn??

Deceided to rustproof my rusted frame. Put the truck in 4 wheel and drove it up on ramps. Then I jacked the rear up and put jack stands. I removed the bed of the truck. I removed both rear wheels. I went to take the rear drums off to look at the brakes. Pass side came off and the drivers side would not. The drivers side will turn about a 1/2 inch both ways, and you hear something hiting inside in both directions.

Finished the job and lowered the rear wheels. Tried to back down the ramps, and the pass side wheel just spins on the ground and drivers side doesn't . It was just fine before I started the job.

Any ideas????
Thanks!
Dennis

 

Auto or Manual Trans.


did you disengage the 4WD.

We need more info on what model u have cuz it could be limited slip, or the if u had the park brake on that could be frozen


Little more detail would be great and maybe we can narrow it down

 

Having a hard time picturing what you're describing....and I keep reading and I get confused each time I read it.

You lowered both rear wheels on the ground? I'm confused when you say....."The passenger side wheel just spins on the ground"

Is the wheel entirely on the ground? What is spinning?

I don't even wanna start guessing....Need more info....

 

Ok Manual Tranny

Both back wheels are on the ground and the front are still up on the ramps. When I try to drive backwards to let front down, the pass wheel spins on the ground

Parking brake was on after I drove up the ramps, but I took it off after that.

4WD is disengauged.

What I'm go9ing to try is to back off the brake shoes on the bad side. I let you know if that works.

Thanks for the help!
Dennis

 

Did you change the rear drum shoes? (You never mentioned this earlier)

If yes - did you have to make an adjustment to the *adjusters*??

But the weird thing is - again - I only know part of the situation. If your adjusters were too tight....then you probably wouldn't be able to get the drums back on - unless you adjusted them again through the 'hole' in the drum.

Another thought - If you did change your shoes - did you adjust the parking brake cable ? I'm guessing the cable is too tight....

Here's a write-up on 95-04 adjustment
http://www.lieblweb.com/tacoma/Mechanical/EbrakeAdjustment/ebrakeadjustment.htm

 

I was never able to get that side drum off. No I didn't change the shoes. They were great on the pass side. I have the cable adjuster disconected to that side. I'm haveing a hard time getting the little wheel adjuster to move. Don't know which way to turn it. So I'm pulling the other side to see which way. Stopped for today will resume tommorow.

Thannks

 

I'd definately try to get that side drum off .... as you might need to get in there and clean, inspect, and free up some things that are causing the problem.

With the wheel off - have you tried tapping with a hammer on the drum inbetween the lugs? That's always helped me.....don't go softie and don't go hard on it either. And/or using a mallet around the edges and front area? Spray some sort of penetrating lubricant at the base of each lug nut and let it sit for 5-15 minutes. Spray again.

I'm not familiar with the star wheels on toyotas. But I know on others - they can be taken apart, cleaned, lubed and put back together (they can seize up).

 

yeah, those stars can seize up pretty bad too, so i'd suggest a tiny bit of anti seize on the adjuster so it will be able to do its intended job.

 

Sounds like you got a shoe locked up on the drivers side.

You may have to reach inside the adjuster hole with a 90deg pick to pull the little catcher in order to back off the star nut to relieve tension.

 

Wusaw I'll be pulling the pass side tommorow to see what it take to repease the ratchet. I'll let you guys know how I make out,,,,, Thanks!

 

Pulled the other drum off and the adjusted was hardly adjusted (no threads showing) Went back to problem side and you could see many threads showing so adjuster was adjusted all the way out. When you pull the brake handle out you activate the adjuster each time you do it. I remember pulling it out a few times during this. So After many hours I was sucessful in backing down the adjuster and the drum became loose (almost). Still had the problem of the wheel not turning. Looks like the brake shoe RUSTED to the drum while sitting engauged for 2 months. Hit the drum many times with a mallet and drum broke free. Had the drum cut to clean it up. Now all is well. Truck is down.

Wusaw... you were righnt on and that little tip about releasing the ratchet really helped.

Thanks everyone!

Dennis

 

hey dennis.....glad to hear you got it straightened out!!