Locked up brake, help diagnose please!

[steezemcqueen]

Update:

I haven't gotten a chance to change my brake shoes yet and it started locking up again today since its snowing here(only time i ever notice it). I decided to mess around with it in a parking lot to see if i could get to loosen up or something. I know that if you ride the brakes in reverse, its supposed to adjust the brakes. I put it in 4lo and set the parking brake and drove around in reverse for the parking lot for a bit (and got some weird looks). So far, it hasn't locked up since doing this.

 

[vr4boy]

had this problem with the passenger rear brakes locking up-problem started 2 weeks ago.
i replaced the brake shoes and brake hardware(all locks and springs) available from autzone at the start of this weekend.
lubed the cables and mechanisms(cranks and levers),cleaned the brake adjuster threads and applied antiseize.
took the truck on a 200 mile trip sunday and never had the locking issue come up during that time...hope i cured that problem...

brake shoes $15
brake hardware $14
brake cleaner $3

results.....priceless )

 

[poleclimber63]

Any more trouble since? I have experience this once last week... I have now (last night) noticed a drivers side rear axle seal failure... crap... but the pads will now be replaced, we shall see...

 

[poleclimber63]

solution....

Update: As I had a rear axle seal failure, I took it to my mechanic for the repair... He worked for Toyota for 19yrs before semi-retiring... he owns a 4Runner himself and loves them! Anyways, he says this sticking brake problem is common, as the pads become contaminated and cause the sticking. In my case, the passenger side was just starting to leak as well! He says the seals usually only last between 120-150K miles... with regular wear. I've now been driving for a week since the repair (seals and pads), and I've not had anymore issues with the brakes.:jump:

 

[poleclimber63]

update:

Just returned yesterday from a 2700KM trip (1700mile) trip and my 4runner performed brilliantly! No more brake issues at all! Its a question of keeping an eye on the rear brakes (ie removing the drums from time to time), in my case, I had an obvious drivers side rear seal failure but the passenger side was also starting to leak... hence-- causing both sides to lock. As other members have said, the bell cranks can also be a problem area... probably a good rule of thumb would be to, at least, service/lube them or replace them (I wouldn't imagine this to be done more than once..?) when its time to do the pads...