Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

That'd be an awesome story

 

I'm dealing with exactly the same issue, just happened to me coming home last night, passenger rear wheel was locked up, smelled like burnt brake and hot as shit... and it's done this already. Same as you, took everything off and backed the star adjuster off and all was well, but I knew that every time I used the e brake it was inching its way back, and it did.

I too did rear axle seals/bearings... and got all new rear brake stuff cause the axle I swapped in had only the backing plates. so it can do it with new drums too I guess

Did you ever figure anything else out with this? Sorry to muddle the build thread, truck looks/perform's awesome

 

No. I got mad and gave up. Going to deal with it this winter and start replacing things with OEM parts. Starting with the shoes and hardware kit that I replaced with Wagner stuff.

I have gotten really good at backing off the star wheel through the little access point though.

 

That may be it. I was running O'Reilly shoes until I did the BPV swap, then I went back to OEM. There is a difference in the amount of pad on the shoe. Plus the O'Reilly shoes were worn in under 10,000 miles. That difference in pad surface might be what is causing the problem.

The problems I had on the same trip with you were actually the result of a frozen brake cable that wouldn't fully release, therefore it wasn't hitting the adjuster enough.

 

Conceivably. I had been running Napa shoes for the last 60K though and they were fine up until they got soaked in gear oil.

 

Yeah, I hear that. Used OEM for bearings and seals and shoulda just kept the faith, but I went Centric for shoes/hardware and drums... lame. Come to think of it, I've got Centric rotors up front and after 40K one of them is warped... I'll price out for OEM rotors too this winter

That star adjuster hates going in the release direction for me! I think that plate or whatever that keeps in contact with the teeth likes to get caught, I usually have to take the drum off just to be able to pry the plate away

 

Does this have to do with getting rid of that thing, cause I hate it! unbolted it from the axle and zip tied it up to the bed, finally noticed a little help from the rear brakes I want to control it manually eventually

 

Yes it does.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bretts-average-build-thread.305098/page-28#post-12388470

 

Did the exact same, all OEM for bearings and seals and stuff, and cheaped out on the brakes. I've got Centric premium rotors in the front and now you've got me worried.

The star wheel is only meant to ratchet one way. You need two tools to loosen it from the back: one to hold back the catch, and another to turn the wheel.

 

Derp Didn't realize that... I see what you mean about getting good at backing it off.... thats a lot of tools in a tiny hole

 

Bingo! Don't know why I haven't come across this yet I'll be doing that soon, great write up

over

 

Another question man sorry...didn't you just do front hub bearings? And if so what did it feel like when they started going bad? Pulsating vibration and maybe a slight sound like it almost sounds like a bad worn tire? And no its not my tires lol. Thanks man

 

That was Old Brett, but he has manual hubs and therefore a different setup. I just replaced my spindles to ones with half as many miles.

A bad wheel bearing will for sure cause a vibration. Put a jack under your LCA as to not droop your suspension, and feel for any play at the wheel.

 

Will do ill try that tomorrow! Thanks again man!

 

When mine went out I had noticeable play when rocking my tire from 12 and 6 positions.

 

Maybe this'll help..
When mine went out it was not loose at all or detectable by grabbing the wheel. It was specifically most noticeable when slowing down from 55mph and turning to the left rounding a corner. Inevitably I pulled the right spindle to replace bearing. At that point it was quite noticeable when rotating the flange that the bearings inside wear buggered up. Sounded rough, dry and metallic..new bearings solved the issue.

 

I'm gonna take my tire and spin the hub by hand to see what I feel but its like a pulsating vibration and I can feel it through the steering wheel especially around 25mph. And did you take it to a shop to have them press in/out the bearings after you bought the bearings separately and obviously you removed the spindle. How much did so and so charge if you did it this way?

 

Make sure to check your brakes all around before gettin' too crazy. I've had a piston seize up on one of my calipers and I was pulling my hair out looking for a problem with wheel bearings/ driveline and couldn't find a thing that seemed loose or out of place. Same thing, weird pulsating vibration especially when coasting on hills or coming downhill to a stoplight behind traffic. Noticed not too long after more brake dust build-up on the front wheel... didn't take long to figure what the caliper had been up to. After cleaning and re-lubing the piston...no more vibe's. If your front wheel's seem solid 12 - 6 o'clock (mine did), check brakes... might save you some trouble. I've got 156K on my front bearings and they're still lovin' life. My only vibe now is when I brake cause of the stupid Centric rotor thats warped

 

Good suggestion cuz my truck only has 117k on it and they have been fin3 but my brakes have been acting weird since i got the truck because the oem rotor was warped pretty bad on the side where the vibe is coming from...thanks man!

 

Brett, i still owe you beer
That is all lol