What could it be that when I come to a stop and then let off of the brake it won’t go? Then when I back up it seems like it will release with a clunk.
My questions:
What vehicle? 1993 Toyota 4runner (V6, Automatic, 4wd, hubs are locked)
Any recent work done? I sprayed the front wheels off last weekend to get the mud out of them. Only thing that was done before that was that the ARB air locker in the rear was removed and repaired.
Do any of the wheels show signs of a leaky wheel seal? No, the wheels are all clean. (Side note, the leaky rear axle seal eventually shows up as a greasey wheel.)
Have the rear brakes had a clean and adjust or inspection lately? No, the emergency-brake works well, but sometimes it clunks after sitting parked with the emergency-brake on.
http://debashishbanerji.com/videos/consciousness/introduction-to-the-bhagavad-gita/ Diagnosis by phone: I’m not really sure on this one. It could be that there is a leaky axle seal, but with no external evidence the rear wheels and drums will need to be pulled to inspect. It could be that when the rear differential was pulled one of the seals got nicked, or the brakes didn’t get put back together right.
Final diagnosis: Pulled the rear wheels and drums and sure enough the right rear axle seal was leaking. It was leaking ever so slightly and it had coated the brake shoes. The brake drum was also coated with oil. Once the brake shoes were coated they nicely stick to the brake drum. The owner’s comment was, “Why is it that when you oil the brakes they stick?” Now there’s a good question, I’ll save that for a physicist.
Solution: Temporarily we thoroughly cleaned the brake drum and shoes. With as little as it was leaking this should last until I have time to schedule a axle seal replacement. Permanent solution is to pull the right rear axle and replace the axle seal. Make sure when you do this to inspect the brake shoes. The amount that the seal was leaking will determine whether or not you’ll have to replace the shoes and have the drums turned. When all else fails get a professional opinion.