The Beast Could Not Roll but is OK Now

[alaskaman]

backed into the parking spot at work and after 12 hours (0 degrees this morning) I started the 4Runner, put it in drive released the parking brake and nothin. would not move forward in drive. checked everything and finally just put the accelerator down. big clunk and we were ok. did not know if it was the parking brake and being in reverse when I parked. It was really cold today.........

 

[Uneek]

I've heard/been told not to set the parking brake in snow or near freezing temps due to it possibly getting frozen.

However, on mine if I hose down the back (pretty sure it's the right rear) wheels and park it for a couple days without driving it or allowing the water to dry off, the parking brake will freeze. Once I was stuck in the garage, even with the engine at 2k RPMs it would not budge. I had to put in 4H and have the front wheels drag it the 4R half way out the garage. My garage still has skid marks. But once I put it in reverse and rev'ed it a bit and backed up, it freed itself and I was able to move.

It's happened a few times before where it would make a pop sound, 2H was enough to get me moving. Once it broke free in 4H going forward. And it got really stuck the time I mentioned above. I need to take the rear caliper off and pull the rotors to see what's going on in there.

This along with some other quirks IMO are signs of Toyota's quality diminishing and Toyota is selling vehicles on a past reputation.

 

[alaskaman]

Appreicate the insight Uneek. will hold off on the parking brake and glad it released today...........geesh........every day an adventure.

 

[eskimochaos]

I've heard/been told not to set the parking brake in snow or near freezing temps due to it possibly getting frozen.

However, on mine if I hose down the back (pretty sure it's the right rear) wheels and park it for a couple days without driving it or allowing the water to dry off, the parking brake will freeze. Once I was stuck in the garage, even with the engine at 2k RPMs it would not budge. I had to put in 4H and have the front wheels drag it the 4R half way out the garage. My garage still has skid marks. But once I put it in reverse and rev'ed it a bit and backed up, it freed itself and I was able to move.

It's happened a few times before where it would make a pop sound, 2H was enough to get me moving. Once it broke free in 4H going forward. And it got really stuck the time I mentioned above. I need to take the rear caliper off and pull the rotors to see what's going on in there.

This along with some other quirks IMO are signs of Toyota's quality diminishing and Toyota is selling vehicles on a past reputation.

Frozen parking break can happen to any car especially in such extreme conditions.

 

[Erich]

I grew up in VT. Use to have that same problem(Ebrake Stuck). We would just spray the cable really well with some WD-40 before the really cold weather set in. You might need to hit it a few more times during the winter too. I think it was a nissan sentra. Seems when the snow on the road would melt water would splash up into the E-Brake. Then, if it got really cold 5degrees or below, you would have a problem.

 

[Kmvreter]

I had a frozen parking brake cable on my first ride. Water would get in the tube the cable ran through and then freeze overnight. Got out of the habit of using it ever since, only rarely and never in winter.

 

[Canuckcarguy]

I've had this problem in various vehicles over the years when it's cold, especially when the roads are a bit wet, and then it chills to well below freezing at night.

If you're in a situation that really calls for a parking brake, I'd suggest setting and releasing it 5-10 times before leaving it set, for me this usually worked to clear out most of the moisture.

 

[Uneek]

Frozen parking break can happen to any car especially in such extreme conditions.

In extreme conditions which Alaskaman is in, yes, not disputing that. I'm fully aware that's possible and likely. From washing or hosing down the back wheels, IMO, it should not happen. This has not happened to any of my previous cars or anyone else's that I know of (granted it's a minute sample of all the cars ever produced).

Why should it lock up if it's gotten wet in non-freezing conditions? It's sat for several days, if anything the moisture should be dry by that time. FYI, it has frozen during various times in the year, each and everytime at home (it doesn't snow where I live). The most recent and severe time, it was this summer. The temperture was well over 50* F at night, easily 65-70* F or more that week during the day. Correct me if I'm wrong, water freezes at 32* F, no?

I like Toyotas, but I'm not going to be oblivious to the fact that MY 4Runner is not as well built as Toyotas once were. My 04, 05 and 06 Toyota does not match the quality of my 1990.

 

[Ruffian]

I like Toyotas, but I'm not going to be oblivious to the fact that MY 4Runner is not as well built as Toyotas once were. My 04, 05 and 06 Toyota does not match the quality of my 1990.

In one of my other posts today, I lamented over all the parts I have to lube to ward off squeeks, thumps, and humming Ruffian makes. After I hit "post", I sat back to think about my 97 4Runner. You know what? I can't think of anything that vehicle did that required as much keeping after.
Why did I trade that one in? I should of kept it. Granted I couldn't off road with it, but that was a GREAT vehicle. Oh wait, it was 11 years old and the roof lining was starting to fall off. Yeah, that was the ONE wrong thing with it. lol, boy do I feel like the loser now on that trade.