I notice my back brakes tend to lock up when i'm taking off from a dead stop. Is it because the back brakes need to be adjusted, or my emergency cables need to be lubed? It sat for 3 years, before I purchased it. Sometimes I can drive it with no problem, but sometimes my rear wheels will lock up. Would 3 years of not moving do this?
Probably one of three things - or a combination of them. Either your rear drums are really contaminated with brake dust and grime, or one or both of your rear axle seals are bad, or you have bad rear wheel cylinders. I'd try the obvious first (dirty axle hubs). Go to a parts store and buy some Gumout Brake Cleaner (get at least 2 cans because if the brakes are dirty, you WILL need it). Pull off your rear wheels and brake drums. Check for dirt and gunk. If you see caked deposits of gunk that seems to cover everything then you could be looking at a bad axle seal. If everything's ok, then check the brake cable connection. Spray both throughly with a good lubricant and work the parking brake handle back and forth. Of course your truck should be on secure jack stands with both front wheels firmly chocked. If everything tests negative so far, then you probably have a bad wheel cylinder (or cylinders). I hope this helps. -ftyler
