Totalled Car... help!

[Hopps]

So I crashed my 1998 Toyota 4runner (4 banger) about a month ago. I wasn't paying attention and the car in front of me had come to a complete stop, while I was still going about 30 MPH. Oops. There was airbag deployment, meaning that I hit at a high velocity, but the body damage wasn't that bad, so after a month of driving a rental, I made up my mind to buy my car back, as it seemed to be pretty fixable.

So, I have my car now, with a fixed windshield, but there is one problem with the car that I feel needs immediate attention.

It feels as though my E brake is possibly dragging, however being a front end collision, I just don't see how that could be. When I drive my car, I no longer get a smooth glide, but a slight resistance which causes me to have to use a lot more gas to keep the damn thing moving. I pulled off a tire and checked out my rotor and breaks one one side of my car, and everything seemed fine. The problem isn't so bad that The car will come to an immediate stop If I get 'er rolling at around 5 mph, but something is definitely dragging somewhere. The reason I think it might have to do with my E brake is because there is a lot of resistance when I pull up on it, and the sensation I get when I am driving my car is extremely similar to when I used to pull the "forgot to take off the emergency break after i pulled out" move.

If anyone has any clue what this might be, I would love to hear what you have to say. I am checking the car out with my pops this weekend, and I would love to have a good starting point.

If I have left any info out that you might need to help diagnose my cars problem... please let me know!

Thanks TB... been a great place to hang for me since 2002.

[Hawaii Islander]

I can't say for sure, but it sounds like something bent along the frame where the e-brake cable runs forcing tension on the cable. Check the manual and follow along where the cable runs and look for twisted brackes or tubing.

[Jiggybass]

I think your frame may be bent, unfortunately. As Islander said, check the line for obvious signs of stretching, deformity, etc.

[Mike N]

Jack up all 4 wheels and see if you can turn them easily by hand.

Check to make sure it's not stuck in 4 wheel drive.

[need4mospd]

Originally Posted by Hopps

I pulled off a tire and checked out my rotor and breaks one one side of my car, and everything seemed fine.

Rinse. Repeat on all sides. It sounds like the brakes to me, it could easily be the front brakes not just the e-brake.

[Hopps]

Thanks guys, I will check those things. The only suggestion that I know can't be the problem is the stuck in 4X4... sadly my rig is only 2wd...

[Mike N]

Did anyone ever put that thing on an aligment rack after the accident?

Could be the alignment is so far out of whack and the tires are fighting each other going down the road.