Ghost brakes, need help!

[Tanner92]

I have a 1988 c2500 light duty truck with a 4 sod manual tranny. Recently when trying to take off forward the truck does not want to go like the brakes are locked up, I have to basically dump the clutch to break them loose, once I'm moving everything is fine, no dragging noises or smells. When slowing to a stop around 5-10 mph I can coast in neutral and feel the brakes start to apply themselves and stop me as if I were pressing the pedal and the take off process starts all over. The truck doesn't hesitate to go in reverse, I can hear a faint click when I start going backwards like the pads are releasing from the rotor. I pulled the master off of the booster to check for fluid leaking into the booster but it was dry as it should be, vacuum is good. The brake fluid is dark but not out of the ordinary. I am running into dead end after dead end trying to figure out the cause of this. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this before or have an idea what could be going on. (Disc up front drum in rear)

[O_J_Simpson]

Sticking caliper? Check the rotor temps with a temp gun after a few short trips & look for an overheating pattern.

[XSKIER]

Have you looked inside the rear drums? I had a 92 that had to be placed in 4wd and floored to break free from being parked in one spot after a couple of months. I'll bet the inside of your rear drums are loaded with dust and rust. Bonus points for broken springs, keepers, and adjusters!

[Tanner92]

I'm gonna jack up the rear today after work to see if it's the rear or front that is sticking. It just doesn't make since to me that it's only when I'm coming to a stop and taking off forward, reverse has no issues. I can feel it release when I get going and feel it start again when slowing down, it stops just like it would if using the brakes only my feet aren't touching anything.

[Tanner92]

I feel really dumb.....apparently my dinosaur of a trailer brake controller was affecting the brakes on my truck which still doesn't seem right, but I turned it all the way down and the problem disappeared.

[barry G]

my truck did that without trailer brake..

but it coincided with 20 below and long lengths of cold.

 

the calipers and pads all together are so cheap, I never replace just pads.. just do the whole darn thing for less than $100.

Turn in the old calipers as good cores.

There should be no connection to truck brakes with trailer brake.. that is a loop that should not exist.

 

you still may need brakes to get dirty electrical elements out of it.

[XSKIER]

'88 truck could have a hydraulic tap for the electric brake controller