[Aquaman78]

Hey guys, I'm having an issue with my 03 Focus. It all started a few weeks ago when I was pulling out of a Wal-Mart parking lot. While gently applying brakes to slow down, I heard/felt a loud bang and the rear driver side wheel was locked up (tire squealed of course). I managed to get it unlocked by 'pumping the e-brake and the brake pedal. It hasn't happened since. However, I am now facing another issue. In the mornings when it's cool (50-60 degrees) and dewy outside, the same brake drum is locked up and only 'unsticks' after driving for a while. Of course, there is a lot of heat and burning smell coming from the drum. Once everything is warmed up and it's dry outside, I do not have this issue. This has become a daily routine when I leave for work early in the morning. I have had this car for 3 years and have put around 30k miles on it since. I have not had the brakes serviced yet and the front pads have NOT been worn down to the point of damaging the front rotors...yet. I am going to be changing the front pads today but still wondering about the rear brakes. I really have no experience with working on drum brakes so I'm not sure what to do or expect. Any advice?

 

[Geezer]

I'm guessing right now (as it's something that needs to be looked at).....but since you say it released while playing with the parking brake, I'd focus on the parking brake linkage/mechanism (aka adjuster bar) inside the drum (follow the brake cable, the end of it is attached to the linkage/adjuster I'm referring too). Sounds like its not fully releasing.