Rear differential problems

So the other day I washed my truck and parked it overnight. The next morning I went to leave and when I put it into drive it wouldn't roll. The truck was in two wheel drive at that point. I attempted to give it some gas and one of the two rear tires just spun like I was doing a burn out. I checked to make sure I didn't have any kids toys under my wheels and then proceeded to try again with the same issue. The issue resolved itself after I placed it into 4 wheel drive. Once it started moving I put it back into 2 wheel and I haven't had the problem since. Has anyone got an idea on why this may have happened? And has anyone had this happen to them?

 

You have a open diff, only one wheel will spin.

Guessing the front brake pads seized onto the rotor from rust after the car wash.

 

Is the rear end making any howling noises at 50 to 60 mph? Try feathering the throttle. Let us know what you find out.

 

I had a similar experience after washing the truck and letting it sit overnight.. but it was also cold and I attribute it to the rear drums freezing up.

Went to take off, slipping the clutch as normal - truck wouldn't move. More gas and aggressiveness on the clutch, then an ungodly sound from the rear as it let go. Drove normally after that.

Edit: The park brake released normally as far as I could tell from the cab.

Frank

 

Weird problem. It sounds like something is either seizing or locking up.

 

Same thing happened to me after washing my truck. Next morning she shouldn't move. Think I put it in reverse to unlock it. Assumed the brakes rusted over a bit.

 

I've noticed this before with other cars/trucks after washing and not driving until next day. Need to give it some gas to "break it free". Never seemed to cause any issues.

 

Wonder if Tacoma had Disc Brakes in the rear if this would still happen......

 

My 07 used to do this... it's the brakes

 

It was the right rear that wouldn't move. The left was spinning freely.

 

Of course. Except the truck would also explode any time it was taken off road.

 

If it was the brakes why would shifting to 4 wheel drive free the wheel?

 

In 2wd with one wheel's brakes "seized," you've got all power going to one wheel, and you going nowhere.
In 4wd with one wheel's brakes "seized," you've got power going to three wheels, and you going somewhere.

 

^ what he said

 

Well said, sir.

 

Rear disc brakes have drum brakes for the parking brake so it could still happen.

 

Sounds like some more going on as simply washing the vehicle should not seize the drums to where the truck won't move.

 

Odd.

I wash mine normally once a week on my "Sunday" evening, it's the last thing I do before I drive it home (few miles) and park it. I've done this the last 8 years with Tacomas, T4Rs, a BMWs, a Camry, an Acura and a few Fords. I've never experienced it in what is probably 600+ washes.

The one time I did experience a minor, similar, issure was several years ago on a Mitsubishi GSR (4 wheel disc) on one occasion after it sat outside at an airport parking lot for 6 weeks. Each of the rotors had ghoast marks of the pucks for a while afterwords and I could feel it while braking.

 

Thats because you drive it after you wash it, the brakes heat up and dry off.

The op washed it in his driveway and it sat overnight.

Happens on disc brakes too, my wife's 2014 highlander does it after I wash it in the garage and let it sit overnight. Takes some extra gas pedal to get it moving in the morning (unstuck).

 

I very rarely drive my vehicle right away after washing, they usually sit overnight.