Questions and Answers

Ford Ranger Parking Brake Freezing Up
Q. Is it common to have the emergency brake freeze to the rear drums in cold, damp climates? I own a 2005 Ford Ranger 4X4, 5 speed manual transmission with the 4.0 liter V-6. Seems most every time we get a cold rain followed by dropping temperatures it freezes up and takes a good shot of engine power to free it.

Yes, I did release the brake cable prior to trying to move. The sound of it freeing up is unnerving. A loud " thunk". After that, all's fine until the next freezing rain or snow.

Thank you for your time,
Colin

A. The rear brakes are pretty well sealed where water intrusion is concerned, short of going through a deep puddle. I'm thinking more along the lines of the parking brake cables freezing.

On the next warm day get yourself a can of WD-40 and spray the hell out of the parking brake cables. Primarily the brake cables coming out of the drums and going towards the front of the truck. Water can get into these cables and freeze up, causing the parking brake not to release.

So give that a shot and see what happens. If it still happens then at least we know it's not the cables. But I think this will take care of it. Let me know if it doesn't.