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Rear brake lock up.

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Old 05-11-2015, 11:24 AM
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Rear brake lock up '91 W250

The rear brakes on my W250 keep locking up. Even on dry pavement. My dad bought it new the summer of '91, and as far as I know he had the same problems. The tires had flat spots with the steel belts showing when I bought it from him.

I replaced the MC as it was leaking when I got it home and other than locking up frequently, they seem to be in great shape. The pedal is very firm, not mushy at all. Could the ABS valve be bad? It never happens when I have a load in the bed of course. It can get pretty scary when running light on wet pavement though which happens a lot in Oregon.

The ABS light never comes on by the way, but the bulb is good.

Any ideas?
Old 05-11-2015, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by emdcksn
The rear brakes on my W250 keep locking up. Even on dry pavement. My dad bought it new the summer of '91, and as far as I know he had the same problems. The tires had flat spots with the steel belts showing when I bought it from him.

I replaced the MC as it was leaking when I got it home and other than locking up frequently, they seem to be in great shape. The pedal is very firm, not mushy at all. Could the ABS valve be bad? It never happens when I have a load in the bed of course. It can get pretty scary when running light on wet pavement though which happens a lot in Oregon.

The ABS light never comes on by the way, but the bulb is good.

Any ideas?

Check the anti lock module behind the glove box and see if it has been disconnected...Mark
Old 05-11-2015, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by maybe368
Check the anti lock module behind the glove box and see if it has been disconnected...Mark
Thanks. He did have a 5th wheel hitch and wiring installed when he bought it, so it is possible. What does it look like? Is it labeled?
Old 05-11-2015, 01:51 PM
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Originally Posted by emdcksn
Thanks. He did have a 5th wheel hitch and wiring installed when he bought it, so it is possible. What does it look like? Is it labeled?
The RWAL box is black plastic and is mounted just above the heater box. it's the only thing back there like that.
That in it's self won't cause the locking though.
Old 05-11-2015, 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by mknittle
The RWAL box is black plastic and is mounted just above the heater box. it's the only thing back there like that.
That in it's self won't cause the locking though.
Would it be something they might have done (common) when they wired in the trailer brakes?
Old 05-11-2015, 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by emdcksn
Would it be something they might have done (common) when they wired in the trailer brakes?
Had a couple of girls run across a busy street (not in a crossing) and caused quite a few squealing tires. Caused my left rear to lock up and stayed that way for a few seconds even after I had released the pedal. The truck has about 78,900 on the odometer.
Old 05-11-2015, 03:45 PM
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I would open the drums and look in the self adjusters.

Better yet. Try this first.... https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ctures-207170/
Old 05-11-2015, 04:02 PM
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The black box is plugged in. So maybe mechanical then? Everything is fine of course when the truck is loaded.
Old 05-11-2015, 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by bobva
I would open the drums and look in the self adjusters.

Better yet. Try this first.... https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ctures-207170/
Thanks. It has been a long time since I had to work on drum brakes.
Old 05-11-2015, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by emdcksn
Thanks. It has been a long time since I had to work on drum brakes.
You say thanks now Bwaaa Haaaaaa Haaaaaa, ...Mark

Read: these brakes can be a real female dog, but follow those adjusting instructions...
Old 05-11-2015, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by mknittle
The RWAL box is black plastic and is mounted just above the heater box. it's the only thing back there like that.
That in it's self won't cause the locking though.
No, but it might have explained why the warning lights weren't coming on...Mark
Old 05-11-2015, 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by maybe368
No, but it might have explained why the warning lights weren't coming on...Mark
Yeaper. I saw where you were going with that.
Old 05-11-2015, 08:11 PM
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wheel seal rearend grease on the brakes
Old 05-11-2015, 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by enydick
wheel seal rearend grease on the brakes
Good call, the old oil and grease causes brakes to grab, I forgot all about that...Mark
Old 05-12-2015, 01:21 AM
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Originally Posted by enydick
wheel seal rearend grease on the brakes
the dana 70 on these trucks have a oil cup in the hub that does not allow the oil to get on the shoes.


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