Parking brake pads?

[clarkede]

Just watched the video and I did not check to see if it was freed up. I am going to check to see it that is my problem. There was little rust in mine, but it easily could be locking up or stiff. Thanks for the information as this problem was just baffling me.

As a related question, is it normal that the axle shafts have a little in-and-out motion? I took both rotors off and they both seem to independently have this motion. It isn't much but enough for me to wonder if the pads hit a little differently as the shaft comes out or in during a turn and not when moving forward straight.

Video's online are great!!! Thanks again! I will post again if this fixed my problem!

 

[drdoom]

clarkede, as far as I know, some play in the rear axles is normal. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can confirm this.

I worked on my E-brakes for quite a while (slow without a helper) the other day, and it takes a good of bit of coaxing to get them working.
But back to your problem, I was wondering if maybe they were not releasing fully, and could that be causing them to rub a bit...just a thought.
Best wishes.

 

[clarkede]

Well, I finally got a chance and opened both brakes back up. All the mechanical arms are working free of rust and other contaminants. To make sure I used brake cleaner and a little wd40 (only on mechanical arm lever to make sure it wasn't binding) then loosened the the parking brake pads so that they should not be engaging with the drum much (if any) at all. Then put it all back together. I took it for a test drive and made a few u-turns the noise is there just the same as it was. I am now thinking it might be something with the axle shafts. I had changed the lube in the differential a few weeks prior to this and maybe it loosened something up in the differential??? I used Synthetic oil, which shouldn't be the problem. I will repost if I find anything. I am still tempted to take the pads out of the emergency brake assemble all together and see if the sound is still there to confirm my suspicion.

 

[clarkede]

Well, it isn't the parking brake pads. I have completely removed the pads (and all associated hardware) from both rear wheels. Now I must assume that it is the axle that is making the rubbing sound when i turn the vehicle to the left or right. It does not make any sound moving strait. I will search the forum, but if anyone has had this noise and thought it was the parking brakes, please let me know what you found out. I might take apart the differential while I am at it and see if there are metal filings. I had just changed the fluid - so maybe the explorer just liked the old fluid and it is now upset. Ughhhh.