Parking / emergency brake seized / stuck

Dang lucky you, mines been doing eversince I took it out the dealer, and when I take it in they could never catch it happening.

 

i'd really like to see the service bulletin number (oh, please, please, please, pretty please!), the seal issue seems to be the best, likely explanation.

just happened to me today. listening to y'all, i think it was the same for me, left truck in the rain, washed heavily (eBrake engaged--as I have always done (and used daily, flat surface or not, and never freezing)), put away after washing, (eBrake set), and 4'ish days later - found rear wheels stuck (I think passenger side). rocking and reverse (auto tranny), freed it. my '18 tacoma has only 31k miles. until i can reason what is happening, no eBrake in the garage and thorough drive around the block(s) until the rear breaks and drums are dry.

 

I have the same thing going on, Toyota quoted me just under $1800 to do rear brakes and cables. I've never used the parking brake once since I got my truck. Could the ebrake cable just be cut and removed all together to prevent this issue from happening again? Or will the wheel locking up continue either way if I don't replace my rear drum, shoes and wheel cylinder at same time as the cables?

 

So you should always routinely use the parking brake to prevent the issue you're currently having. If you don't things will rust up and seize.

$1800 sounds like a lot of money, even though I know the cable itself isn't cheap.

And no you would absolutely not want to just remove the parking brake. Some people call it an e-brake for a reason. Even though it is technically first and foremost a parking brake, it is also there in case your brakes fail. To remove the system entirely is incredibly foolish.

 

Looks like it’s been a while since anyone posted on this topic. I happened upon it looking for answers to the same problem my ‘17 with 61k mi. TeslaRelay ever get the service bulletin number from the “warranty” work.

 

I just haven’t used my e brake in a year…

 

Just had this issue with my 2021 after getting a car wash in cold weather. Assumed that something was frozen. After waiting for warmer weather the left rear still wouldn't release. I tried rocking forward and backward. Pulled and released the emergency brake. Pumped the brakes but still had the issue.
Pushing HARD on the brakes I heard a little click and all is fixed!

 

Don't try to break it loose. On cold days where it can freeze try not to use the e-brake cable but if you have to and it freezes, grab the ebrake cable where it goes into the drum and shake it. Usually breaks up whatever was frozen.

I had the same issue and broke the backing plate of my drum and warped the hell out of the drum shoe. Toyota did the shotgun approach and diagnosing the issue and wanted 2500. I told them to kick rocks and did it with a friend for about 250 total.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rlx02s-build-with-5-29s-and-35s.605079/page-5#post-26120697

 

This just happened to my 2021 manual transmission with ~9000 miles. Washed it yesterday, parked it, left it with the emergency brake applied. Went out to drive this afternoon, it was locked. Tried reversing and it broke free.

I live in California and it was 90 degrees today. Definitely wasn't frozen. Will the dealership address this issue under warranty?

 

My brakes occasionally freeze e brake also when the snow melts and splashes a lot then we get a good freeze but that's Wisconsin.. I just kind of go.. sometimes slide a bit out of the driveway then you usually hear the pop when it frees up

 

You can try. They'll likely tell you it's normal and to not apply the brake next time you wash it.

 

Well that is a little disappointing. I will give it a go, when I take it in, and update you guys with any relevant info.

 

Replacing parking brake cable fixed my sticking brake problem. Cable was seized inside the housing.
Had problems since new, was focused on components inside the drum for a long time. The cable was a pain to replace, but works great now.

 

Mine stuck for the first time about a week ago. It’s a ‘12 with only about 42k and is garage kept and meticulously maintained. Washed it, backed it into the garage and used the parking brake while positioning it but took it off and put the truck in gear (MT). It must have ever released. When I went to use it about a week later it was stuck solid. Forced it to move in 1st gear and it popped loose. Used the e-brake again in my driveway trying to figure out what was going on and it did it again. Took around the block, using the e-brake while in motion and it hasn’t done it since.

I did heavily spray fluid film on the undercarriage and went HAM on everything but the exhaust. I heard the FF is safe for most rubber (everything but door weather strips) but maybe it’s causing some swelling and leading to issues with my e-brake line? Or maybe it’s simply just too much moisture in the drums or a part of the cable???

 

Wow ,I glad to found this! I lived in Hawaii, rains a lot, drive though muddy puddles . Occasionally my passenger side brakes will lock,lots times in 4H . Many times after a turn. I would reverse and it gets free.

2019 TRD OR. I took it to the dealer 4 times , they could not find the problem. On the fourth time, they replace both E-cables. And reduce the labor cost, plus discount the parts , under $400.00 .

I stll have this passenger side rear brake locking up.

I wash my truck last week , spray water under the fender wells, muddy as hell. I live on a coffee farm with dirt roads.. Next morning my rear passenger side brakes were really lock up solid. It took several times reversing and I got free.

Now I know I am not the only one having this problem! Thank you. Seems this is something we must live with? Unless Someone or Toyota can find a solution.

 

One thought here, after washing you car, drive around a few blocks to create heat on the brakes drums and pads, tapping the brakes as you go, before returning home. Not sure if this will work?

As for those who stop to look at the trails and brakes up end up locking? Not sure what you can do.

in my case it does get cold, 70+ degrees 1,100 elevation. Rains a lot, I do drive though muddy puddles very often. Getting this problem of passenger side rear brakes locking up. Usually right after I started my truck. And or driving a very short distance. I think I am more aware the “why’s” ? It is locking.
Thank you for sharing all the stories.

Should we keeping washing the truck? Off course. There is a dry wash system. And never spray water under the trucks. Lol. Or near the brakes

The 2024 Tacoma will get rear disc brakes (drums no more). Will this be better? Time will tell.

My brother likes playing the drums, can never get him to stop either.

 

@tacobell007 @Boston10Taco
yeah....here we go.

 

Today I chatted with the head of the service department and head service guy. Drum brakes will hold water, best thing you can do after a car wash or driving though a bed stream, is to dry the brakes by driving and tapping the brakes to heat them up.

Disc brakes will not cause a lock up, as told to me by the head of the service department.

I am glad I found the main cause after 5 times at the Toyota dealer, & replacing the rear E-brakes cables. Replacing the E-brakes cable did reduce the amount of rear brakes locking.

There is NO solutions to keep the drum brakes dry, that is just how there are made. Why only a few people have this problem? ???

I never had this done to me for 40 years! Till now. Aloha

 

I think there are so many variables that make the drums sensitive to issues.
I just had an issue where the the driver side locked up after a long drive. The pads were just too close to the drum when they were adjusted and that was all it took.
Totally seized.
Had to back the adjuster off some. Hoping it works for the trip back.

 

Another possible solution that was mention by the Toyota guy. Do not apply the “handbrakes” when washing and afterwards till dry. Not sure if this is a solution?

Drums brakes area are not water proof, moisture will create a”rust” or moisture will seize the components.
Maybe some drum brakes have better drainages and drys better?

Or we are one of the many unlucky ones? And there are many others this also happens to them?
Being driving since 1968, never experienced this before. Till now.