Wheels lock up a few feet after shifting from P to D

This has happened to me three times. Once today and twice on Saturday. After putting the truck into drive the wheels lock up after the truck has driven 1-2 feet. In today's case, the truck was only parked for ~90 minutes. All times, I shifted to reverse and drove a few feet, went back to drive and continued on as normal to remedy the problem.

To me, it sounds like the parking brake freezing, but it doesn't fit my understanding of how that typically happens. For one, it is absurdly hot here, although it is very humid. I thought the parking brake "froze" when it was cold because the shoes literally froze to the drum. Two, the truck is moving forward a few feet before seizing up. When I think of a frozen parking brake with the fix being to shift into reverse, I had previously thought of it as an immediate problem not letting the truck move forward at all.

Does this sound like the parking brake, or something else I should consider? If it is the parking brake, what is the fix? A good cleaning of the innards of the drums I would think. I know my truck has seen some things, and those things include a fair bit of mud.

 

any 4x4 lights? hows the rear diff fluid?

 

I assume you mean the back wheels only are locking up. I recommend inspecting both rear brake assemblies. You could have a loose brake part(s) and or other debris inside one of the drums that is rotating and jamming when you move forward.

 

No lights, fluid is good changed a few months ago.

 

Yes it feels like only the rear wheels. I've tried to make a video from inside the truck but whenever I try to get it to happen it doesn't. I'll probably pull the drums off tomorrow and have a look.

 

I've seen brake lining unbond from the shoe and cause this exact problem with drum brakes. A loose spring or stone or similar could be in there and sometimes it pops into an area where it can get jammed up. Please let us know what you find.

 

Should I replace the shoes while I'm in there? Truck has 68K miles on it, and honestly I'm not looking forward to doing the rear brakes. Never done drums, but remember hearing all the old guys growing up how much they sucked and how great disks brakes are.

 

In every vehicle I’ve ever had that used drum brakes in the rear, I have had to replace them about every 3rd time doing the front brakes. I still check them each time, but they don’t get used as hard as the front.

did you wash the truck recently? Disconnect the battery for an hour or 2, reconnect and try again. Any warning lights? I don’t think debris can really get in to the drum brakes... they are designed to not let they happen easily

 

Perhaps. I usually change rears about every 3 sets of fronts but that can be dependant on many factors.

Drum brakes are more parts than disc but its not vastly more difficult. A

$73 OTC 6516 Brake Tool Set - 8 Piece , Black , 11 in

couple of specialty tools make it far easier but it can be done with a good pair of side cutters and a couple screw drivers. I would inspect before buying parts unless this is your only transportation.

 

Not getting any warning lights or any indication that it is an electrical/ECU/traction control induced problem.

I replaced the original set of front pads about 8K miles ago (most of my miles are highway). From what I've read previously I don't think I'll need to replace the shoes. I've been wheeling twice in the last three weeks, and washed the truck after both times. Most recent wash was about a week ago.

 

Does your emergency brake have enough slack? Could be squeezing the drum.

 

I'm thinking that too. My rear lift has made the cable a bit tighter. I always thought about adding a spacer where the cable bolts to the leafs to relieve some of the strain and never got around to it.

 

Clean, inspect, lube, make sure they are adjusted correctly(backed off 15 clicks from locked).
If necessary, use only OEM Toyota parts.
Do not press brakes when drums are off.

 

If no issue presents itself in the rears, you might want to inspect the fronts as well. I've seen calipers lose a bolt, pivot, and jam the front wheel though this is usually not intermittent and generally accompanied by a loud noise.

 

Yes, check your ebrake cables for possible issues as well!

 

I'm thinking I'm going to start with that. I'll take a picture when I go out there tomorrow but I know there is some strain on the ebrake cable from the lift that I always said I'd get around to and never did yet. I just wonder why now after a year of having the lift on is it creating an issue.

 

Parking brake cable strain. I am going to start with this and see if that does it. Only wish I had a better way to duplicate the problem.

 

Yeah bend that metal tab out.

 

Drums are relatively easy. Can I suggest taking a photo of each side when you take the drum off to make reassembly easier. Clean everything and lube the backing plates. I'm at 25k miles and will be doing a rear brake service soon.

 

Drum brake issue?