I got a phone call from girlfriend stopped on the side of the highway. She told me she was cruising along in the left lane (at approximately 50-60 mph) when suddenly, without her taking any action, something happened as though the brakes were applied...hard. The wheel(s) locked up, and she skidded to the side of the road. She reports there was no ABS pulsing. When I arrived on the scene, sure enough, there was a nice, long, rubber trail I'd estimate at about 3-4 truck lengths long: only one skid mark, appearing to me, as though from the driver's side front. A quick visual inspection revealed nothing. I started the truck, at first, slowly, gently rolling it forward, then back. There seemed to be no binding or resistance so I pulled it away from traffic, farther into the median, performed further inspection but still found nothing. The Vehicle is a 2004 Toyota Tacoma SR5, 5 speed w 4whd (For any of you that may work at parts stores, it's red. ;)) The front brakes are in excellent condition. Just last summer, I replaced not only the pads but also installed new calipers and rotors. I cannot say to what degree the rear brakes are functioning other than that, due to rusty cable and hardware, as emergency/parking brakes, not at all. Most brake problems that I'm aware of usually involve "not working when applied" not "working when [I]not[/I] applied". I've done a bit of research with little success; especially since search terms one would use (sudden braking, "wheel lock", etc) more often apply to different, unrelated issues. Though it involved braking, I can't think of anything (for example, an ABS malfunction) in the braking system that could cause this type of behavior. (...but others here know a lot more than I, which is the reason for this post.) In one of the (very, very) few results I was able to turn up regarding anything remotely similar, it was suggested that the problem was more likely with the transmission than the brakes-- but even then, it involved an automatic transmission. The best explanation(s) I can imagine is that a front end, brake (or other) part came loose, slipped into the wheel assembly and locked it up or that the same result was caused by some road debris that got kicked up. (She reports not noticing, seeing, hearing anything beforehand; just a sudden skid.) Where the truck first came to rest, I did find a hefty bolt of some type right near the driver's side front wheel. (see photo) It may or may not be related. It's [I]AMAZING[/I] how much crap there is littering the side of the road that we just drive past not seeing!! I looked into as many possible causes as I could think of and found nothing. I needed to get it out of the highway, it seemed drivable, I drove it off, it seemed normal so I drove it elsewhere to look into further and ultimately brought it home, all together driving it about thirty or so miles. Everything seems to be normal, however, she's now terrified to drive the truck again until it's "fixed" and, of course, I'm finding it difficult to "fix" what I haven't experienced, can't see or reproduce, and don't even have a guess at. To anyone who might think I'm onto something with my hunch (about an object slipping off or being kicked up, locking up the wheel then freeing itself) is correct, (assuming it was the front wheel) [B]where could it go that would cause that sort of reaction?[/B] I plan to pull off the wheel tomorrow to look around more closely. [B]Any suggestions regarding specifics to check out?[/B] If that's not it, I don't even have any other "straws" at which to "clutch". I welcome [B]any other thoughts, ideas or suggestions regarding what could have caused this.[/B] [B]Can anyone identify the part[/B] I found (in the attached photo)? Thank you for any help.

I have 96 mazda b2300 that is having several issues. All seem to be pointing to the gem module (door ajar bell keeps going, speedo doesn't work, wipers don't work, a bell goes off everytime i start it, etc) I have changed the wiper motor...checked for power to it and power to switch all good. If I unplug one connector to gem the door ajar bell stops. I got a gem mod from a junk yard and didn't fix the problems. Not sure if bad mod or what the problem is now. It won't pass inspection due to a speed sensor code. Is there anything special I must do when I change the gem? Maybe I didn't do it right or there more I have to do?