Last weekend I did a rear brake job on my 1997 F350 4wd diesel. I replaced the shoes, replaced all the hardware, replaced the cylinders and had the drums turned. I have driven the truck all week and everything has been fine. Tonight while out of town I set the parking brake to see if it was any better since the rebuild, and it was. Shortly after releasing the parking brake I drove about an hour to get home. When I arrived home by driver side rear brake, wheel, etc. was very hot. I threw water on it and it turned to steam instantly.

I suspect that setting my parking braked hard like I did (like you're suppose to) somehow caused it to drag. Does anybody have any idea what is causing this and what needs to be done so that it doesn't happen again?

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After reading some other posts I went out and checked my parking brake cable and found that it is not bound up that I can tell. Perhaps it did not completely release although it seems to release just like the other side. I checked it from front to equalizing bar and it is in great shape. The plastic coating is still on the wire and there isn't any corrosion the entire length. The only thing I did differently on this trip vs the one I made two days ago was try out the parking brake before I left. The last trip I could barely feel any heat on the rear wheels when I got home, this time the driver side was scorching hot.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Blane

 

Figured out the problem(s) I think. Time will tell.

1. The brake cable was sketchy. Still worked but there was a little more resistance than the new cable.

2. The spring loaded bolt the holds the top of the Bendix parking brake arm was too tight. It needs to be tightened and then backed off a few clicks. When it is too tight is does not allow the arm to return to the relaxed position.

Blane