Leaving E brake on in freezing temps

It happened to mine in a heated garage. Left overnight after a car wash with the ebrake on. Only happened once, but once was enough.

 

I let my 2008 Tacoma (68,500 original miles) sit for about one week, during which time we got about 2 feet of snow, followed by warming, then freezing, then warming etc. (Central upstate New York.) I had not engaged the e-brake. Yesterday, temp around 27F, I started to back out of my driveway, felt resistance, then the truck locked up and wouldn't budge. I thought the rear diff froze up! Left rear wheel spinning on dry macadam, right rear wheel not moving at all. Tried forward, backward, 4H, 4L, no luck, and produced some horrific smoke from the clutch area for my efforts! Jacked up the rear and found the left rear wheel to move both directions, but the right rear wheel would move about an inch either direction and then klunk with a full stop. I read here on another post that tapping the back plate of the drum with a mallet might work. Indeed, TacomWorld saved the day! It took a few repeat taps with a soft mallet and i had some movement before it locked up again. Eventually I was able to get it to where I could drive forward and backward and work the foot brake until no resistance was felt. So, the theory of NOT using the e-brake during freezing, wet weather did not apply to my situation. The cable seemed to work fine, but the drum was stuck. I am beginning to believe that I should have engaged the e-brake, thus allowing no moisture to make its way between the shoe surface and the drum surface.

Nonetheless, later at my shop, the drum came off easily - they cleaned all drum surfaces, roughed up the shoe and drum, lubed pins, cables, etc., flushed and filled the brake system. No problem this morning, again, upper 20sF, although no snow or melting or previous car wash. FWIW, not running your vehicle through the Delta Sonic Car Wash during the winter up here is inconceivable, as not only is salt used on all roads, but salt brine as well! Just nasty!

Again, what a great resource this site has proven to be for me and my newly acquired 2008 TRD Sport, Access Cab, 6ft. bed, 2dr., V6 S5 6spd manual Tacoma!

 

My 08 e brake sticks all the time until the brakes are warmed up, I bet it would lock tight if I left it overnight.

 

When it does I usually have to wack the drum, rocking doesn't always do it.

 

not knowing anything about third gens (do they have 4 wheel disc or still drum), i will give my 0.02 from a second gen owner. My theory on e brake has always been use it or lose it. If i have a car that hardly ever used the ebrake, then start using it in winter or wherever, good chance of issues. On my second gen, i have used it daily through 8 salty winters without issue regardless of temp

 

FWIW here's my 2 cents. I've had this issue before, and even needed dto replace the cables twice now.

My driveway is inclined, so using the e brake is must. Recently replaced everything rear drum related, and the cables again (e brake would not engage with new drums, shoes, etc.) Then, after a snow day and 10F night I had a frozen rear wheel in the AM. Had to do the 4Low rocking to break free.

The I had a revelation. I had been pulling g the e brake handle further that needed. Now, I e been engaging it just enough to hold me in place instead of cranking it like usual.

Haven't gotten stuck since and we've had 5 degree nights after driving in the snow and slush.

 

i forgot if i saw it in the owners manual, or maybe a repair manual, but something about adjust the brake to sufficient holding at 3 clicks, so thats how many i do when parking.

 

Would spraying some Prestone De-Icer on the ebrake assembly and drum help prevent this when you park for the night?

Or perhaps in the morning before you go to leave?

 

With the -20 and lower temps we’ve had lately my wife’s RAV4 - which auto engages electric parking break - has the issue. No option to not apply the brake! It will break free pretty easy though. At least so far

 

Then, in the morning i put it in reverse, hit the brake and release. If the truck rolls in neutral, you’re good.