I have a 2006 toyota highlander with 132k miles and recently it started making this horrible screeching sound coming from the back end, almost all the time. It only really happens going under 30 ish but when it does happen it causes the whole wheel to lock up before i come to a complete stop. What could it be? Could it be the parking brake hardware going bad and the main braking systems are connected somehow? Is it a stuck caliper guide pin?
Also unrelated note: my driver's side door won't lock 100% of the time if it's hot outside, what could that be about?
it causes the whole wheel to lock up before i come to a complete stop
well you need to stop driving it immediately and remove the wheel to see what's going on. There's several possibilities. The pad could have just come loose and it's getting stuck. Who knows there's no point debating it. You're (or somebody) going to have to look and see.
What could it be?
It could be a rusted parking brake cable that's stuck, or a corroded caliper piston that won't retract. Those are probably the most common.
Could it be the parking brake hardware going bad and the main braking systems are connected somehow?
Of course the parking brake is connected to the main braking system. That parking brake operates on the rear brakes on most vehicles, front brakes on some. (You have to get into really old stuff, like 1950s Mopars, for a parking brake that is entirely separate. Those used a dedicated drum brake on the driveshaft.)
Also unrelated note: my driver's side door won't lock 100% of the time if it's hot outside, what could that be about?
One question per post please. However if it's remote or automatic locking you're talking about it could be a worn motivator in that door not working in hot weather.
