Truck won't move backward after a wash

gotcha! I was thinking you were blaming 4w low.

But that must of been pretty stuck to do that. I bet a few hits with the torch would also unstick the brakes (at least winter frozen ones)

 

I seem to recall that another member had this same issue not long ago. It was. NOT due to frozen shoes either.

Unless you know FOR SURE it’s water frozen. I wouldn’t force anything.

While I have had frozen shoes, and have forced the truck to break them free, I would advise doing this unless you know for sure that’s what it is. And then, it still hard on the truck and brakes.

 

Apply a thin film of brake grease on the raised pad areas of the backing plate. Problem solved.

 

Raptor liner it, then it will never need to be washed

 

Thankfully I never had to apply a violent amount of power. My driveway is short and I'd have ended up in my neighbor's yard if I had.

 

I don’t think it’s been mentioned yet but if your rear brakes are every stuck, smack the back of the drum with a hammer a few times. Usually frees it up.

 

I read that as well, but did not try it.

 

The dealer replaced an axle seal on my 96 4runner, and somehow gear oil made it onto the brake pads, but was overlooked. The pads swelled up from the gear oil, and locked the rear tires. I had to tow it back the Dealer. They ended up replacing the brake pads without charge. Just another scenario to keep in mind.

 

smack the backing plate with a hammer. and rock the truck back and forth slowly until it breaks free.

 

Isn't that, or similar already used by toyota to line the bed on these trucks?

 

Bang with rubber hammer.

 

Can’t you just drench both drums in WD-40?

 

Holy shit!

Luckily that has never happened to me so far.

 

Don't you see? Drum brakes are better than disc!

 

shoots, this happens with my 2nd gen.

Got so stuck once I had to have it towed to dealer and they said it was really stuck.

After a wash I don't put on the parking break. Just chalk my wheels. Or drive it for 15 minutes after a wash.

 

put it in drive after it won't move in reverse in this case, should unstick them much easier moving forward gently. then back up and go your merry way

 

This is the dirty secret of owning a Tacoma. It’s the price we pay for that incredible drum brake performance.

 

Had this happen with my 2007 after washing and sitting overnight around 2008... hasn't happened since.

 

Drum brakes auto-align their spring tensions when you apply them while moving backwards. Which has nothing to do with OPs problem, of course.

 

My drums almost always seize up temporarily after washing. Lately it hasn't been as bad as in the past. Before I could practically floor the gas in drive and reverse and the truck wouldn't budge. Now it breaks free without much hesitation. Drums need to be cleaned and greased at their contact points as part of regular maintenance. Yours are probably due for a cleaning, lube and possible adjustment.

Edit: I'll add it's not the parking brake sticking. I've parked the truck overnight after washing with and without the parking brake engaged. I'm almost certain it's the side of the drum shoes sticking (rusting) to the contact points on the back of the drum plate. So, grease those contact points to minimize the problem.