9 degrees this morning in Columbus, OH. Backed out of the driveway this morning and went to go forward and front wheels won't turn. Truck will back up in reverse, but will not only go forward 5 feet and then the brakes lock up in the front.

Have had issues with front brakes for years (03 Ranger XLT, 4WD) locking up when raining outside, but always went forward a few feet and brakes unlocked. Not happening this morning. Any ideas?

 

Possibly bad brake hoses. Or maybe moisture in the brake fluid at 9 degrees if it had any water content if will freeze. Do you have any pulsateing when the brakes are applied like the rotors are warped? Does the brake pedal have any free travel? Like maybe a stuck piston in the master cylinder? Maybe this will be a start?

 

Thanks for responding. Definitely no pulsating when the applying the brakes ever before this morning and during this morning. Rotors are fairly new so I think warping is ruled out. Also, no free play in brake pedal.

Moisture in the brake fluid came to mind or a stuck piston in the master cylinder. Would water in the brake line /stuck piston in master cylinder allow me to back up, but not move forward?

 

Possibly, But you are sure its the front brakes that are locking up? Cause it sure sounds like a problem that usually happens in the rear with the parking brake.

 

Yes. The back wheels were spinning on the icy road as I tried to rock back and forth and work the rotors free.

 

please create a signature of your truck.....include as many details as possible

 

seems to me it happens more often but because the road isn't dry it is most noticable when wet or slick. It would take a heck of alot of moisture in the system to cause a freeze up, plus it happens in the rain, I'll say that aint it. Probably not master cylinder cause the rear should stay locked up also. I have had all sorts of problems with stuck calipers, and then there is the hoses. Some hoses that have a metal bracket wrapped around them used to mount to a part of the truck can rust enough to constrict the hose and not allow fluid to flow back. A cheap way to fix this is to just bent the bracket so it isnt so tight around the hose but i would rather just replace them if the lines arent too rusty, calipers are cheap and easy to rebuild if you have the time. Only a couple bucks for a kit at Rockauto.com.