HoratioTheJeep
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Texas
'96 XJ Country, auto, 4.0L, 2WD
Today was the first day of below-freezing temperatures in my part of Dallas TX. Went to go to work, started it up & let the engine warm up, took the parking brake off (I always use the parking brake even though I have an auto), put it in gear, felt it go into gear, but the brakes won't let go. I gave it a little gas, it moved a tiny bit & I felt the front left caliper break free, but several additional attempts at moving fwd & backward failed to free the rear brakes.
I haven't looked underneath the Jeep yet, so I know I'm posting prematurely, but I ask you to entertain a couple of questions. I searched here & on Jeepforum.Com, & the only similar thing I found was a guy with a TJ who said his would do this every time the temps dropped to freezing -- he said he would just rock fwd & backwd until they broke free (I'm reluctant to keep trying). Here are my questions, remembering that I haven't physically looked at the brakes yet:
1) Have my (probably quite old) brake lines simply frozen?
2) is it possible that brake fluid has leaked out & frozen on the drums/pads?
3) or is it likely I have a broken brake line somewhere?
I've also read that seeping axle seals could cause the brakes to lock up, but that was not related to cold temperatures . . . any thoughts? I promise I'll jack up the XJ later today & provide more detailed info.
Today was the first day of below-freezing temperatures in my part of Dallas TX. Went to go to work, started it up & let the engine warm up, took the parking brake off (I always use the parking brake even though I have an auto), put it in gear, felt it go into gear, but the brakes won't let go. I gave it a little gas, it moved a tiny bit & I felt the front left caliper break free, but several additional attempts at moving fwd & backward failed to free the rear brakes.
I haven't looked underneath the Jeep yet, so I know I'm posting prematurely, but I ask you to entertain a couple of questions. I searched here & on Jeepforum.Com, & the only similar thing I found was a guy with a TJ who said his would do this every time the temps dropped to freezing -- he said he would just rock fwd & backwd until they broke free (I'm reluctant to keep trying). Here are my questions, remembering that I haven't physically looked at the brakes yet:
1) Have my (probably quite old) brake lines simply frozen?
2) is it possible that brake fluid has leaked out & frozen on the drums/pads?
3) or is it likely I have a broken brake line somewhere?
I've also read that seeping axle seals could cause the brakes to lock up, but that was not related to cold temperatures . . . any thoughts? I promise I'll jack up the XJ later today & provide more detailed info.