2003 Ford Windstar Rear Passenger side wheel is locked up

EMCCANN

MEMBER
2003 FORD WINDSTAR
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
58,000 MILES

I happen to find myself in a situation where the rear passenger side wheel is locked up. Worked fine up until now, no warning signs, no nothing. Never use the parking brake, but tonight when I pulled out of the driveway at the "Y", the rear passenger wheel was locked up - completely. All other wheels are fine. I just took this vehicle on a 500 mile road trip the previous day, towing two snowmobiles (which I do all the time without any problems), then today, not this morning, but instead tonight the wheel was locked up for no apparent reason. I'm thinking something broke inside the drum and is causing it to sieze, OR the bearings are now mysteriously shot.

I'm a fairly seasoned garage wrencher so I'm not afraid at all of what I'll find, but I guess I'm curious if anyone has seen this before. I'll replace everything on that side if I have to, but I'm hoping it's something as simple as a trashed brake shoe binding up on the drum.

BTW, I've heard of people having lots of transmission problems with these vehicles. I have had none - even towing 4500 lb boats, 2000 lb snowmobile trailers loaded up for long distances. This Windstar tows FAR better than my last Explorer.

Best,

Eric in Wisconsin

2 Replies

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,371 POSTS

First thign I want you do do is to block the front wheels, put the tranny in neutral and then jack up the whole backend. Then try to turn each tire, does it turn freely? If so then it is a tranny problem, if it does then suddenly stops and does the same in reverse id say its in the rear diff.

If it doesnt budge at all take off the tire, and then go behind it remove the dust/service plugs on the back of the drum and try to adjust the brake shoes in, untill the wheel moves freely. If they wont loosen take off the whole assembly, remove it at the axel and just slide the hole assembly off, you will have to completly reasemble it, when that is done check to
see if you can turn the wheel, if you can then its in the brakes if not its definetely somethign internal. Then if it does move make sure the caliper isnt frozen out if it is you will have to replace it, if it looks good.