Can someone please tell me how to check to see if my emergency brake is siezed up. I think it is because I forgot about it and drove about a mile and a half with it on. The left rear brake stinks and gets real hot when I pull my tool trailer and the truck will ocasionally shake and magically stop shaking after I stop the truck. So how do you un sieze an emergency brake if it is siezed?

 

Fried Chedder,

I just completly rebuilt my e brake on my 03 FX4 for $40, this included the shoes and a new spring kit. The E brake activator that extends out of the back side of the hub is probably rusted and not functioning. The ebrake is behind/inside the rotor just like old drum brakes. Remove the calipers and slide off the rotor. Inside you will find the ebrake, looks just like a set from an old drum brake.

The actuation lever on top of the assembly, that is connected to the ebrake cable on back side of hub, it's probably rusted and should be removed from hub. Take this 2 piece assembly, which should pivot, and put in a vise and spray with penetrating oil and a hammer so it can be broken free. Clean it up with wire brush and lubricate it with some high temp ant-sieze, make sure it works smoothy.

Its quite easy to do all this. Sorry I dont have pictures but I can tell you my ebrake pades were completely gone and all that was left was the metal portion of the break pads, plus it was very muddy inside. Previous owner must have been an off roader. Let me know if you have any questions. Do one side at a time so you can reference one side for reassembly.

Greg

 

I just did the same as Vinobambino. I originally thought the actuation lever was one piece, it was rusted together so tight. Every thing works fine now.