Right rear brake locks up

Tiny
LT5
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET EXPRESS
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I have a 2002 Chevy 1 ton (3500) Express Van. The right rear brake makes a rumbling sound and the brake locks up when you use them. The thing is it does not do it when you first drive it, only after you drive it several miles. It acts like the drums are out of round, but the drums and brakes are new and were checked hot and cold and are fine. There are no leaks, brakes shoes are on right (checked by 3 different garages). Here is the strange part we removed the tires and drums and put the right on the left and the left on the right. The problem still remained on the same side(right rear). No one including a Chevy garage has a clue.
Monday, March 9th, 2009 AT 6:03 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Try opening up the bleeder valve on that brake, does that cause teh brake to release? Is it locking up and binding or is it not releasing? Or both? Does it lock up and squeel when u try to slow down to stop?
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Monday, March 9th, 2009 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
LT5
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  • 3 POSTS
The brake releases as soon as I take my foot off the brake, it just locks and rumbles as the brake is applied.
If I use a little brake and I am on a slick road it will lock and release, lock and release etc. I even disconnected the ABS system fuse to make easier to stop on ice. That didn't change anything except gave me more control over the other wheels so I could stop better. You also asked about squeeling when I slow down - No squeel at all.
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Monday, March 9th, 2009 AT 10:53 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
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Have you ever had teh ABS system checked?

Is it a diagonal split brake system or dual split. Ie left front and right rear and left rear and right front?

Brake line could be plugged, you have a 4 wheel antilock or front wheel antilock and rear wheel antilock?
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Monday, March 9th, 2009 AT 10:58 PM
Tiny
LT5
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  • 3 POSTS
Tech said the ABS is OK. ABS is front and rear

Do you think it may be the bearings on that axle?
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Monday, March 9th, 2009 AT 11:27 PM
Tiny
BLACKOP555
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Take and disconnect your abs speed sensors and try to drive it. Does it stop better now? You could have a bad wheel cylinder, it may not be releasing fully and over a few stops th epressure builds up enough to cause them to self apply and grab when you brake.

Try new brake adjuster, springs, etc and a caliper.
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Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
MSFIERS
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  • 1 POST
Has this situation been resolved? I have the idential problem (same year, same tire-RR), however the brake locks up right away-no need to drive several miles.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2009 AT 4:06 AM
Tiny
ITSONLYLUV
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I also have the same problem but only on wet roads and after I come to a stop. When proceeding the rr spins and the steering wheel pulls to the right., Shut off trunk, all is fine, anyone got a clue?
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Thursday, August 31st, 2017 AT 11:38 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,741 POSTS
You should be starting a new question for your vehicle. Unlike other sites where anyone can add a comment, this was a private conversation between two people. For the rest of us, it is listed as having received a reply, so we don't get to see your addition or have a chance to reply. That won't get you the help you need. I only stopped in to see the results.

In this case I suspect a common issue was overlooked. Almost all pickup trucks and minivans can have a wide range of loading in the rear, from empty to fully-loaded. As such, more braking power is needed in the rear when carrying a big load, but that would cause easy rear-wheel lock-up when lightly-loaded. To address that, they use a height-sensing proportioning valve in the rear, with a linkage between the body and the rear axle housing.

With age, the vehicle's springs sag and ride height is reduced. That is checked by alignment specialists, and must be corrected for best handling, tire wear, steering response, and comfort, before performing an alignment. Ride height also affects front-to-rear brake system performance, but in this case, sagged springs make it look like there's a heavy load in the rear. More brake fluid pressure goes to the rear brakes than is needed, thus the easy rear-wheel-lock-up.

On Chrysler minivans that height-sensing proportioning valve is easily adjusted in less than 15 seconds. For other brands, some have an adjustable link, or there may be some other means of adjustment. If there is no way to adjust that valve, the only fix is to replace the springs to restore proper ride height. Every tire and alignment shop has small books showing every vehicle, where to take the height measurements, and what they should be.
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Thursday, August 31st, 2017 AT 4:29 PM

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