I own a 2004 Ranger FX4. I am having brake issues ONLY when the weather is wet. When the truck sits for about 7 hours at first the brakes squeal and for the first couple of times touching the brake pedal the brakes lock up. this will only happen if it rained.

 

YUP, it is a truck..............The rear drums tend to be senitive to wet weather. Particularly when not well adjusted. Your e-brake adjusts the drums try firmly setting it about 6 or 8 times once or twice a month. You will also notice better performance and longer front pad life.

 

Thank you for the information. That helped with the squealing, but at times in the morning first time driving after sitting for a few hours, the brakes will lock up still. Only does it once or twice then fine. I am not sure when the last time a spring kit was done on the truck though. I know the brakes were done very recently but not sure on the spring kit.

 

How long, and did the truck sit for months....IE on dealer lot. I bought my in August 06 used, the truck was on the dealer lot from April/May 06. Thanksgiving 06 I had the drum shoes push loose due to rust build up on the shoe plate. The shoes look to have been less than 15k miles used, and yes the were rivets not epox.

FYI: For those that have the hardware rust up so bad that you can not back down the adjuster and the drums will not slide off (ie the shoe spring retainers pop off before the drum slides off) you can drill the drum face with 1/2 in bit and nock the shoes out the back.

 

If you didn't have this problem before the shoes were replaced, I would concentrate on that area. Some of the less expensive shoes will cause the problems you are having. Some brake chains sell really poor quality shoes BTW.