2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Drivers front wheel locked

[cumminsram95]

Hi everyone. I drove to work today and my truck seemed like it was being held back. It's been really cold here in northeast Pa, so I thought it might be cold transmission fluid. When I came out to go home, the truck would not move at all. I put it in 4 wheel drive and got it to move like 10 feet. I got out of the truck to see what was going on and noticed that the right front tire(passenger side) was locked up, just skidding across the parking lot. I am thinking that I have a bad caliper, but is there maybe something else I should be looking at? Is it possible to have brake fluid freeze and lock a caliper?

 

[bdenson]

i dont think brake fluid will freeze not sure .i would say bad caliper.2nd gens are bad about this

 

[GAmes]

It might be a bad caliper, but is also possibly a bad flex hose to the caliper. They fail internally and act as a one way check valve. Brake fluid absorbs water from the air, so if you don't flush the system frozen fluid is in the mix as well.

 

[Road Dog]

You can also have plain old ice freeze the caliper. If the ground is slick then there isn't enough traction to break free. You can try 4WD and see what breaks first.

 

[JR]

Try cracking the bleeder or the brake line if the bleeder is corroded and see if there is any internal pressure built up.

If there is no pressure, gonna have to pull the wheel and perform an inspection.

 

[cumminsram95]

I have an update to this story. The truck has been at work since yesterday and I didn't do anything to it. Today the temp got above freezing, so around 3pm I tried to move it. It moved like there was nothing wrong with it! After work I took it for a nice long drive and had no problems with it. The only thing I can come up with is that there is water in the brake system and it froze, causing the caliper to lock. I am an automotive mechanic and have nerer seen this before.

 

[MLee]

Bleed the system!! ASAP.

 

[DonFitzwater]

" I am an automotive mechanic and have nerer seen this before."......................You can't say that any more!

 

[cumminsram95]

It is still good. Absolutely no signs of any problem.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Probably ice between the shoe and caliper holder, don't think enough water could get that far into the lines to freeze as the brake fluid is a derivative of ethylene glycol. A good bleed would still probably be a good idea. bg

 

[EDankievitch]

We've had the breaks, pads and shoes, freeze to the drums and rotors after running through a deep stream.... But this one sounds strange...I think I'd be pulling the front end apart bleed the system and make sure the caliper is free to slide in the mounting brackets.