Hey all,

It was subzero today. I drove my 94 ranger to work and upon tryi g to leave at the end of the day my driverside rear wheel would not move. It is currently sitting part way out of a space at my work.

Is a frozen hub a thing? If so how can I remedy? Thank you all for any advice.

 

Did you use the Parking brake?
Some times a cable will freeze(water inside it) and not release rear brake on one side

If not then hold out parking brake release handle and pump the parking brake pedal a few times, see if you can brake the drum free

Use engine to rock truck back and forth, that will sometimes work

If all else fails, use propane torch to heat up wheel, don't need much heat, just get it above 32degF inside drum

 

I did use the parking brake. I'll have to get a ride down to the truck to give these suggestions a shot. Thanks Ron!

 

Cable on one side is probably frozen, might need to add some heat to thaw it out, doesn't take much heat as said
I would not use parking brake again until weather warms up

 

So I went back, didn't have a torch, and did the parking brake thing. I was able to start driving backwards. But it now seems that only my driver rear is spinning, which was opposite from before! Did I break something? One is still locked up at any given time but will roll backwards but not forward. So confused.

 

Yes, parking brake is stuck, they don't hold as well backward as forward, you have probably noticed that before when backing out of parking spot with parking brake on, but then can't go forward until its released

If you can backup then nothing is broken, just stuck on

Not sure what conditions are where its at, but you can always try loosening the Star Wheel on the side that locking up, have to lay down under vehicle, remove the rubber plug and use a screwdriver push out the lock bar and another screwdriver to spin star wheel, it will only spin one way easily, that's loosening it

 

It reached 40° F yesterday and I was able to have it thaw. It now works! Thanks RonD

 

Wait until spring to use e-brake again, lol

 

Haha for sure! Thanks for the help.