1994 explorer parking brake stuck

[Marshall402]

I had to use the e brake yesterday and when I pulled the release handle it popped up but it feels like the rear brakes are still engaged. it goes but it feels like im pulling something, I know they are still somewhat engaged. it has rear drums, how do I check this out and get it fixed? thank you for the help.

 

[cgbier]

Use a hammer an give the rear drum a couple of solid knocks. You might end up to take off the drums and clean the mechanism inside.

Before you do anything though, check if the brake cable is moving freely.

 

[Marshall402]

Ok I will check the cable I assume where it is going into the drum and I will hammer a few times on it as well. Thank you

 

[Marshall402]

How do you know if it is moving freely? The cable turns into a spring I guess you would call it inside the drum and I'm not sure what exactly to do, I gave the rear drum a couple whacks but I don't think it did any good as it still feels like it's slightly on while driving.

The truck now feels like I'm getting some vibration when I accelerate from a stop also. I don't know if this has something to do with the brakes but something is not right. I'm at a stop I hit the gas and about a quarter way into 1st gear 5 mph or so I get kind of a shutter and it then goes away as I keep pressing down the gas, gone by 7 to 10 mph. I'm not getting any slippage from the transmission as far as I can tell, maybe a bearing of some sort? Any ideas where to check? Thank you

 

[FR-425]

Your rear brakes are probably shot.

With the adjusters all the way out they will not retract properly, May have some broken hardware in there.

Time to pull the drums off and have a look.

 

[Marshall402]

I just replaced them and the hardware 2 weeks ago, I have the drums off now and everything looks like where it should go, no hardware broke and the pads still look good. I had to use that dang emergency brake at work the other day as my boss was doing a ride along and I use this explorer on my mail route. We are suppose to set it every time we exit the vehicle. Since I used it it feels like I'm pulling something, everything was fine till I sett that dang brake. ??

 

[FR-425]

Did the drums come off easily?

If the drums slipped right off then your P-brake isn't the prob.

Put the gear selector in "D" not overdrive and see if it still feels like it's starting out in 2nd gear.

I'm thinking your trans is having a cold weather glitch (common) where it is starting out in 1st and 4th together.

Yes, this is possible. 4th (OD) can be added to any gear. Giving you a sluggish start. It's the 3-4 solenoid, not that it has failed just a sticky valve when cold.

Also run through the gears manually 1-2-D and see what you get that way.

If you run in Drive until it's warmed up it will clear up. UNLESS the 3-4 solenoid is bad and left you stuck in 4th.

This will not effect reverse as reverse is also on the OD drum.

It won't damage it to run like this, but NO full throttle on the OD drum at low speeds, it's a bit weak, so take it easy until you can drop the pan a replace the solenoid.

Here's a quick thread to get you familiar with what's involved in replacing shift solenoids:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121883

This can also be due to out of adjustment shift linkage as well so run through both cable adjustments first to eliminate that as a cause.
No use tearing into a trans just because the cables are out of wack!

 

[FR-425]

Report back here with your test drive results.

That will at least tell us if you've got a transmission issue.

I'm not the trans Guru around here but they are available on this forum.

So if it is a trans issue I can at least point you in the right direction.