I didn't have any prior problems or warning signs. My car is sitting in cold weather and is only driven approx 1 day per week. I first noticed that it was difficult to move forward and thought that the emergency break was sticking. I pumped the break and tried to move the car again. No improvement. I tried to put the car in reverse and the back end started to raise up. I got out and noticed that there was a line of tire on the road behind the drivers side of the car. It appears that the left tire is not turning at all. I did not notice any other problems or leaking fluids. Any ideas? Thanks!
2007-02-27 10:12:20 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
1st check the parking brake. Are you in cold weather? If so then it may be a frozen drum. Otherwise you will need your brakes and/or wheel bearings checked out. Good luck!
2007-02-27 10:17:07 · answer #1 · answered by ilikedagwoods 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Brake systems on cars are all hydraulic driven. Basically the master cylinder (the part that you fill brake fluid in) controls the pressure of the fluid. Brake fluid is evenly pressurized to each wheel of your car. So, the only way a brake will normally lockup is if you had the emergency brake on, and it got really cold (freezing temperatures) and froze up. I would pull the tire off and take a look at the brake system. If you have disk brakes you can see the caliper (the part that the brake pads attach too) and see if it's tight on the disk. If you have drum brakes you should be able to turn the drum if not you can loosing the brake pressure valve. It’s located behind the drum or on the back of the brake caliper. Usually a 3/8 wrench fits the valve, turn it counter clock wise slowly. You will see brake fluid come out, which will relieve the pressure. If it doesn't loosen the brake, either the brake caliper or internal drum pad springs are frozen. You can take really warm or hot water and pour on the part, and it will eventually loosen up.
2007-02-27 10:35:32 · answer #2 · answered by saint_mark_dale 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A few people already pointed you to a frozen something direction, which is perfectly valid. Now, if you want to isolate a cable from a brake cylinder (which, BTW, rarely happens. Unlike a caliper...), disconnect the cable loop from the brake lever with a pry bar. You will need to get under the car because the components you need to access are located at the other side of the backing plate. Sorry.
Next, move the lever by hand - there a strong spring so you may need to use the same pry bar - and it it returns by itself, the problem is with the parking brake cable. To make sure, pull the cable, and see if it's free.
2007-03-03 10:15:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if one of the traccion tires turns more than the other u dont have to worry about it, it depends on the inclination of your car. It seems that the emergency brake got wet and frozen, so, u better go full gas forward and reverse a couple times and maybe the ice will go out
2007-02-27 10:29:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This happened to my car (04 Dodge Neon) today. I used the space heater for about an hour as suggested below and then poured hot water over the wheel. Then I drove forward and reversed, braking suddenly. Now my wheel is turning like before. God is good!
2014-01-08 11:17:16 · answer #5 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your car is front wheel drive.Why don't jack up rear and release hand brake and turn this problem wheel see it can turn or not,if not then take the wheel down check the dice or the drum if the shoes contact and not let go then is the brake problem.
2007-02-27 10:36:48 · answer #6 · answered by brother3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Peter is right. Sounds like you have a problem with your emergency brake. The left rear brake can be manually backed off. This will allow you to get to a repair shop to have the e-brake fixed.
2007-02-27 10:20:51 · answer #7 · answered by Eat At The Y 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your break is frozen, I had this problem on an 04 cavalier last year in germany, just get a little space heater and set it up next to the wheel that is froze up, after 20-30 mins. you should be able to pop it lose by driving foward and back, you will hear it pop. like I said it happen to me after driving in the snow one night I parked my car then it cleared up and the temp. drop well below freezing and the next day my left rear drum was frozen.
2007-02-27 10:23:21 · answer #8 · answered by need4speedsc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like the parking brake isnt releasing on that side.or you got a froze up wheel bearing.look under the car and see if the parking brake has some slack in it,if its tight,then the parking brake must be stuck on that side.
2007-02-27 10:26:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The brake lining is frozen to the drum. Try heating the rim with a hair blower for a few minutes to see if you can get it to brake loose.
2007-02-27 10:30:53 · answer #10 · answered by yes_its_me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋