My Freezing Rear

:oops: Now that I have your attention...

Ever since muddy pipeline my passenger rear locks up if I park for more than a few minutes (15 to 20 ish).

The degree of "frozen" ranges from a quick "pop" to the point of the whole rear end rolling up on the suspension as the rear axle twists.

It is like if you ever tried to drive off with the parking brake set.

I thought it might have been ice on the brake pads from the water/mud... but shouldn't that have been cleared out by now?

This morning it was just the quick pop (after sitting all night for about 12 hours) but after work it was a full lock up that took a bit of rocking (only 9 hours, and it was warmer in the day than over night).

I am puzzled... Thinking Wheel bearings or brake pads/drums... but why just one wheel.

Once it is broken loose it is fine until I park it again for a long period of time.

Anyone got another idea before I rip the whole wheel apart this weekend?

Thanks.

Tony

I've got the same exact symptoms!
And its not getting any better

I'm willing to bet water in the rear diff

I guess the best bet would be tear it all down including diff and make sure all your seals are still sealed. Sounds like water got in some where and can't get out. As far as how hard it is to get it to pop is because it all depends on the angle the jeep is sitting when the water refrezes. IF you want to swing by the shop tonight to tear it down let me know. I'll be there finishing up putting the zj back together.

k... so i tore into the truck a little today...

There were 2 issues as of Thursday...

A) Rear still freezing solid after parked a bit
B) High pitch metal on metal squeal that fades in and out (above 40 mph... does not change pitch, only volume... brakes, gas, and turning do not seem to make a differance)

After speaking with Rich Thursday night he felt the shreak could be a few things...

1) Caliper freezing/jammed from dirt.
2) Stone or something on dust sheild
3) Front CV drive shaft joint.

As for the rear freezing... dirt/water in the drums...

It has been warm out the past few days, so the freezing has not re-occured... but the squealing continues...

Today I crawled under and took a good look at the calipers on the front... all looked good, but I still shot them down with some Simple Green, let it soak in, then hit it with a pressure wash at the car wash (that was cooooooooooooold!!! ) The line of people waiting behind to wash the salt off also thought I was nuts, but it's a Jeep thing...

I also sprayed out the drums... adding more water in.. I know... but a lot of mud washed out... so I figure maybe it was the mud that was actually keeping some of the water in... heat up when driving... slosh around, then refreeze.

Anyway... hopefully that will do it... if not... well... I will take Joe up on his offer and write a review on his new shop...

k... so i tore into the truck a little today...

There were 2 issues as of Thursday...

A) Rear still freezing solid after parked a bit
B) High pitch metal on metal squeal that fades in and out (above 40 mph... does not change pitch, only volume... brakes, gas, and turning do not seem to make a differance)

After speaking with Rich Thursday night he felt the shreak could be a few things...

1) Caliper freezing/jammed from dirt.
2) Stone or something on dust sheild
3) Front CV drive shaft joint.

As for the rear freezing... dirt/water in the drums...

It has been warm out the past few days, so the freezing has not re-occured... but the squealing continues...

Today I crawled under and took a good look at the calipers on the front... all looked good, but I still shot them down with some Simple Green, let it soak in, then hit it with a pressure wash at the car wash (that was cooooooooooooold!!! ) The line of people waiting behind to wash the salt off also thought I was nuts, but it's a Jeep thing...

I also sprayed out the drums... adding more water in.. I know... but a lot of mud washed out... so I figure maybe it was the mud that was actually keeping some of the water in... heat up when driving... slosh around, then refreeze.

Anyway... hopefully that will do it... if not... well... I will take Joe up on his offer and write a review on his new shop...

Soooooooooooooooooo.....................Is it fixed now????????????????? Or is the thing still speaking at you

Danny, did yours get any better yet? I was finally able to take mine to the car wash yesterday to get all the mud & rocks & crap out of the wheels & brakes but it's still on the trailer. I'm hoping I won't have the same problem you guys are having when I go to take it off. I already know I have e-brake issues. :roll:

My e-brake worked just fine after I hosed everything off. Hopefully, you will have the same luck, Kat.

Of course, my brake pads froze Sunday morning. Sounded like rice crispies coming down off the trailer.

Mud Slinger wrote:

Danny, did yours get any better yet? I was finally able to take mine to the car wash yesterday to get all the mud & rocks & crap out of the wheels & brakes but it's still on the trailer. I'm hoping I won't have the same problem you guys are having when I go to take it off. I already know I have e-brake issues. :roll:

It has stopped locking up, but it is still squealing from the rear at speeds up to 20 mph.

3 days after pressure washing and all is well... I was nervous today when the whole truck was a sheet of ice from the weather, but after defrosting all the windows, no issues...

Guess I found another great use for Simple Green (soaking calipers and drums before pressure washing)

Rich... you da man...

Now if only I could figure out why my posts keep double posting... (I only click send once)