4WD Ranger frozen wheel

[dynmyte]

Thanks to Google, I've found this forum and signed up to see if anybody can tell me where to start looking for a solution to a situation with my '98 Ranger 4WD.

About a week ago, while driving in 2WD, I felt/heard a loud noise that got my attention. More than a thunk, Thought somebody had taken a pot shot at me.

Then yesterday I went to use the truck and when in reverse, attempting to back out of parking spot - it was frozen. Refused to move, and when I gunned it one rear wheel spun, throwing gravel but truck was still frozen in place.

I put it in 1st (5 speed trans.) and gave it gas, still felt frozen but then a pop similar to last week's noise, and felt it give, no longer frozen. A def. release, and truck ran fine, drove to town and home.

Now I'm nervous about driving it - not certain what caused the problem, afraid of doing more damage so would like to diagnose.

Does anybody here have an idea what it could be?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[RangerX]

and when I gunned it one rear wheel spun, throwing gravel but truck was still frozen in place.

I would start by removing the rear wheel that did not spin, and then remove the drum (assumimg you have rear drum brakes) and check out the emergency brake cable, and the brakes in general.

 

[dynmyte]

Thank you for suggestion. Will pass it on to my shade-tree mechanic. Seems to me he said something about needing to do some brake work. Maybe this is a good opportunity to do so.

(Grandma) Dynmyte