Brakes Locking Up (Solved)

I'll try to see if anything is out of place.. had the drum off yesterday and everything looked in place but it also wasn't below freezing so it worked fine (of course).

 

Subd to learn the mysteries of drum brakes....not breaks.

 

Had the lines replaced saturday and so far they have not been freezing up anymore. so maybe the "kink in the line" was the accurate call. we have been in the mid 20's with somewhat wet roads so its not the coldest, but definitely the temp that they had been locking up at previously.

 

That's awesome! What exactly did you have replaced? The entire line and the assembly in the drum or just the assembly in the drum? We haven't hit below 32 for close to a week now so I haven't been able to do any more tests or take it apart when it was locked up

 

just the line, not the assembly. they were thinking it was a kink in the line before the assembly, so they started there.

 

How high of a lift did you have? I just had a 3 inch block lift, no suspension springs or dampers so I wouldn't think that would be enough to put a kink in the line

 

I have the OME 2.5" with the Dakars in the back. I was skeptical when they first mentioned that, but so far its been flawless. It was 8 degrees last night, so I went out and checked it to be sure, and its all good. so I think the problem is solved.

 

Getting it done Monday, you convinced me. Inside the drum-wise, everything looks in place. Where the hookup is to the e brake lever, everything looks in place. I'm gonna replace both e brake lines and just want to be done with it. Finally was cool enough to freeze today and she wouldn't budge.

PSA for anyone, I'll post an update to see if the lines being replaced works after Monday

 

Yeah, seems to have been the fix for me. Nice to not have to throw bricks in front of my tires anymore!

 

I know that with drum brakes there is a cam type of action when a drum brake is used in a forward motion that increases brake pressure. As for a parking brake I duno. Back in 1992 I had my 1988 F150 parking brake lock solid on a cold winter morning. I had a very important meeting to get to. That was the one and only time I ever had that happen. The mechanic replaced the parking brake cable.

 

@Dkarr13 how'd the brake line replacement go?

 

So far I have checked the truck in 25 degree weather and the e brake worked although I still get a slight burning smell from my wheels. As for now they haven't frozen locked up so im hoping that at least fixes that problem. I was gonna check back in when the weather gets to the single digits

 

Hmmm. Well hopefully its all fixed. We were down to 12 degrees this morning and all is well. I do get in every morning and cringe as I release the brake. Then exhale as it starts rolling down the driveway.

 

PSA

Issue (for now) is solved! Got down to 10°F last night with a thick layer of ice. Woke up at around 20°F and e brake came off fine!

Solution: if you have a manual 2016+ Tacoma with a lift of some kind where they didn't replace the e brake cable and you're having this issue, replacing the two e brake cables will do the trick! I'll post if anything changes but for now, it's all good!

@easye515

 

nice.

I don't think you need to replace the brake line when you install a lift. I think the issue is I didn't ADJUST my brake line and it was developing a kink in the line as I would use it in the new angle. So if you adjust it right after the lift, I think you avoid all the issues we had!

 

So I drove up to VT yesterday from wet MA and sure enough this morning I have had the same exact issue. Got the truck towed and of course, it rolled off the flatbed totally fine - shop thought something had frozen. Drove a few minutes and then parked on the side of road in snow, needed 4x4 to get out and same issue started again. Kept momentum and threw it in 2wd and then neutral on a downhill thinking the winching up the tow bed alleviated the issue so maybe neutral movement would?!?

Anyways I do have a 3" lift and 35s, longtravel so new soft lines. Having all the same exact issues, rolls fine in reverse, refuses to move without burning tires in 4Hi and it is cold as all hell. So E-brake line resolved? That confuses me that it will roll in reverse but not forward with e-brake engaged either direction.

 

Drum brakes are largely directional, with the bite increasing in the direction they are biased for. They grip more in the forward direction than the reverse direction.

 

It rolls totally freely and I see the front pads unclench the rotors though - was thinking mine is more electrical/ABS computer but I have all the same exact issues and lift as OP

Just put the ABS fuses back in - and now it doesn't wanna roll in drive or reverse. But it is a tiny looser moving forward (I can forcefully move forward a little easier than prior burning the tires)

Totally different issue it seems. Issue goes away if I forcefully drive and than go in between 2wd/4HI/4LO, wonder if its related to my new tune VFtuner/CVC

 

Not sure if it is the same issue or not. Sounds like it but if you can't get it resolved then my solution may be the last option.

All I did was have a professional dealer (Toyota dealer) completely replace my E-Brake system. When vehicles have a lift installed, lines will be stretched and shops can even kink lines depending on their method of installing the lift. But once the line was replaced, I haven't had an issue for 3 years now. It should be roughly around $400-$600 to get it replaced but it's better than screwing around with a non-functioning vehicle in snowy weather

 

Thank you guys…I have a2019 Tacoma TRD lifted…didn’t know I have to adjust the brake lines when lifted..
I am still having issues Rear brakes locking up several times already..

Toyota dealer appointment on Jan 19,2021 ..will be towed…ask to find the problem..and ask for a quote to replace both e-brake cables…and if a reasonable price I will get it done
Also have them look at the retainer springs, anchor springs, adjustable lever springs & shoe hold down springs..

very annoying problem too…it seems starting to become a common problem?
I will let you know of the outcome…
Aloha

When starting …if you are in park ..hand brake up, try move to drive with hand brake up..move a few feet..then release the hand brakes…if you move free..means no problems..if the brakes remain lock…you got issues!
Aloha