Hi All,

I'm kinda new here, but used to be on the old FTE listserve. Anyway, my beast is having a problem. This is an '84 F250. My left rear brake is sticking. It will roll on dry pavement but gets hot pretty quick. I've checked some of the other threads on this but hoped I could isolate the problem a bit more before I tear into it (particularly because it's snowing and I don't have a garage). So I thought I would include a few more details. The right rear wheel turns freely. Also, the emergency brake is topped out. As in, I can only push it down about 1/2 an inch. So, I'm thinking that the left side emergency brake is fully engaged. It has slowly tightened up over the last 4 months. Any thoughts on what is going on? I have a few ideas, but was hoping somebody has had past experience with this.

HighPlainsRichard
'84 F250, 460, C6

 

The emergency brake cables rusting up and sticking is a common problem. The rear portion that is in the sheath gets froze up.

If you want to get by for now, get some vise grips and squeeze the left cable tight about 1/4 inch ahead of were it goes into the sheath, this is about midway down the outside of the frame on the driver's side. Once you get the vise grips on it, take a hammer and hit the side of the vise grips to drive the cable back up in the sheath. If it moves 1/4 inch, then re-grip the cable again and drive it back some more. Once you get it driven back, the brake should release. Then do not use the parking brake till you get it fixed. If you forget and use the brake, then it will pull the cable again and lock the brake up again.

The parts stores used to keep these in stock and they are fairly reasonably priced. It's a very common problem on these trucks.

 

Thank you. I will give that a try.

 

I would get both new cables, wheel cylinders and shoes and replace them.
The cables because frozen, shoes because the 1 side was hanging up and over heated that set.
cylinders because you are there and how old are they?
Last might be a hardware kit for both sides. It is all the springs, adjusting cables are extra, but the springs get weak over time with heating and cooling but that's your call.
Dave - - - -

 

Well, that worked and the wheel is rolling free now. I replaced the brakes about 6 months ago since I was in there putting in new bearings. Looks like I might be getting new cables and hardware for Christmas.