Strange Problem: Wheel Locking Up Randomly

MonkeyProof gets the last laugh on this one...

So last weekend I had to recover another TW member, and the only way we could do it was by jerking his truck out of a rut. At the very end of the video, as I engage the park gear, I hear a loud clunk from under the truck. See video below:

http://youtu.be/u2MkalAsfXQ

Fast forward to Thursday:

With the exception of my steering wheel alignment sensor light being on, the truck has been running fine the whole week, no strange noises, etc. I get in my truck at work to drive across the parking lot and into the shop service bay, I get about 5 feet from my parking spot in Drive, and the passenger rear wheel seems to lock up and drag for like 6 or 7 feet, leaving a skid mark, and then lets go again. Felt exactly as if somebody had slammed the e-brake down as I was driving. A bit weirded out, but I thought maybe the ABS or VSC screwed up somewhere. Didn't do it again.

Fast forward to 20 min ago:

I was taking off from a dead stop on a good sized incline on pavement, Get about 2 feet forward, rear passenger wheel locks up again for a second, and lets go. Makes a squealing sound, and leaves a little mark on the ground, just like last time but not as long in duration or length (probably because I was driving slower).

WTF is going on?? Is this a symptom of something about to blow in the rear housing? Could it have anything to do with the dash light being on for the front alignment?

I just upsized to 35" tires on Thursday night, but the first time it happened I was on my 33's. I'm going to regear the truck soon for the 35's but I just don't want that to happen on the highway or something and potentially kill me until then.

Any driveline nerds expertise would be appreciated!

EDIT: I could probably replicate the problem and try to get it on video to explain better.

 

Are the tires grabbing the ebrake cable where it hangs at the frame and front of the leaf springs?

 

When the wheels are turning normal do you here any clicking noises or feel any type of shudder.

I would put the rear end on jack stands under the axle housing to get the wheels off of the ground and then put the truck in first gear and just let the tires spin and do their own thing while at idle. Would be a good way to litsten up close at the diff for any noises or what not. ...just don't forgot to choke up the front wheels lol.

 

I don't think so, I checked for clearance when I put the new tires on, and it did it once with 33's. Gonna go look now.

I just realized, I've never touched my rear brakes since I bought the truck 50k miles ago...something going on in the drum? Too much dirt in there or something? I really don't know enough about drum brakes to tell.

 

Almost sounds like you have somekinda chingadera cought up in the spider gears..weird

 

I'll try that on Monday at the shop, possibly a broken tooth on the ring gear?

 

Why not do it now? Not too terribly hot outside at the moment..only about 96° with 45% humidity lmao

 

Wait a minute..there's a CEL on for alignment? :scratcheshead:

 

No scoring or marks on the e-brake cable and it's well out of the way.

Weird thing is that it's only happened from a take-off, under 10mph. I've probably put 300 miles on the truck since last weekend, and from what I can hear driving around, nothing out of the ordinary.

 

These are highly sophisticated machines...You pre-2009 guys wouldn't understand...lol

 

Forgot about all that crap.. so glad I have a 2008

So yeah..like what doordkng suggests..get the front taking care off first since yoh have all that electronic doodad crap

 

I've jerked to climax before, and nothing ever made a sound like that

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Only bummer is I can't do an alignment until Monday. I'm going to try to induce it a few times, if I can get it to lock up on command, I'll flip the ABS/VSC kill switch and try it again.

Thanks for the suggestions fellers.

 

Maybe the jeep guys at rebel off road tried to play a prank on your tacoma..and something went wrong

 

One of the craziest recoveries. The e-brake was on?

 

Highly doubtful...we're practical jokers, but we have established not to mess with each others vehicles. Just not worth the laughs.

 

For one pull, yes. Totally by accident.

 

Though your truck was filled up with water and used as the shop pool one day....just sayin

 

They asked my permission.

 

Try pulling the drums off and check the drums and shoes. Wouldn't hurt to blow all the brake crud out that accumulates.

 

Oh ok...i get the logic....ask permission then fuck'em, that outta keep me and RJ out of jail. j/k