mtbman1127

So we have had some un-normally cold weather here in NC the past few days and when it is below about 20 I can't seem to get my parking brake to release. Yes I'm one of those people that puts it on every time I park my truck.

The pedal will come up in the truck and the light will turn off but the shoes will still be engaged on the rear rotors. I brought it into Ford for them to look at, they had it happen to them, and they adjusted it but it stuck again last night. I was able to work it off after pumping it on and off a handful of times.

Just curious if anyone else has had this happen so I could give them some insight as its one of those "if its not doing it for us we can fix it deals"

Also I'm at like 28,500 miles and about to run out of warranty and hope to get it figured out before I hit 30k

Livoniabob

You have 36,000 miles not just 30,000.

mtbman1127

Ah good to know thanks.

Ricktwuhk

Haven't used mine in years, but in the "old days" a rule was never to use it during frigid weather because it will stick. That's for any make vehicle. Frigid is below 10 degrees.

May want to read your manual thoroughly if the warranty term was unclear to you.

Mlarv

Common problem. I was told do not use the parking brake during freezing rain and weather. I have had mine freeze twice on my 1997 and 2004 before I figured it out. Moisture get in the drum and then it freezes. Yes there are drums behind the rotors on the rear. Leave it off until this weather passes.

BadAV

I had it happen on a 1985 Bronco II after driving in snow/slush. Lesson learned was to never use the parking brake in freezing, inclement weather. It only took the one time for the lesson to stick.

Mlarv

So you are saying I am a slow learner. Or just a slow thinker(-;

The second time was my wife set it after driving it to work.

Have a good one.

seadragon

I am also one that uses the parking brake all of the time. I find that it does stick a bit in the cold weather, but I just drive it and by the time I'm at the end of my street, everything is fine. I test this before I leave the driveway by putting it in neutral and letting it roll. Most times it does.

Ifallsguy

Moisture in the cable housing. The cable is sticking inside the plastic housing for the cable due to dirt, moisture, ice, rust, cable housing crushed somewhere, or it can be any combination or all of the above.

Fixes, from experience living in northern MN, WI, AK and South Manitoba (known in the US as North Dakota).

New cables (expensive)

Spray a penetrating oil (NOT WD-40) into the cable housings. That means all (both sides). Do it when it is working and dry. It will take quite a bit as you want to soak the housing and hopefully clear some of the rust, dirt and moisture. (messy)

Cut the cable (makes the parking brake unusable)

Don't use it when wet, cold or both (free but means you have to be retrained)

The dealer should have picked up on the cables and either lubed or replaced them.

lawdave2003

I have a 2015 F 150. I live in Canada and for the past couple of days we too have had some extremely cold weather ( -30 Celsius / -22 Fahrenheit). I also engage my parking brakes as my driveway is on a bit of a slope. Same issue as yours, disengaged the parking brake in the morning but the rear rotors were still locked. Tried engaging/disengaging a couple of times and no luck. Had to call a flat bed truck to bring it in to the dealer. They witnessed the problem as they were getting it into their shop. After thawing out the truck for a bit the rear rotors eventually let up. Took it home and let it sat overnight. Next morning, same problem. I'll be taking it into the dealer again tomorrow. I find it difficult to believe a brand new truck that's marketed as "Ford Tough" can't take a Canadian winter..... I really hope the mechanics can find out what is causing this. Don't want to call a two truck every cold morning for the rest of the winter......