Ok, my car broke down several months ago. It has been parked in a steep driveway since then with the parking brake on. Well, when we finally checked it out, it turned out that the car just needed a new battery. (I know stupid) The problem is that now, the rear wheels are totally locked up so the car is stuck and we can't jack it up at all because it's on a steep grade. Any suggestions??
2007-07-14 13:06:05 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The front wheels do move. My neighbor suggested lubing up the drive way with dish soap or something and putting it in neutral to get it on flat ground so we can jack it up and get a the tires off. Does that sound like a terrible idea??
2007-07-14 13:24:49 · update #1
Oh and yes we can put the car in gear it just won't go with the wheels stuck
2007-07-14 13:28:06 · update #2
Front wheel drive. Automatic. And yes the parking brake lever is down. I think that since the parking brake was on for sooo long that may be whats locked up.
2007-07-14 13:40:04 · update #3
Front wheel drive or rear? auto or stick? is the emergency brake released?
2007-07-14 13:38:13 · answer #1 · answered by ClassicMustang 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Pbleek may have a point, but you didn't say whether you could switch gears or not in the transmission. The other suggestions merit use, just hit the gas hard, rock it forward, jam on the brake pedal, switch to reverse, jam the gas pedal quickly, again, hit the brake, move back to Forward, do the same. If it doesn't break loose in 5-7 tries, you may need to loosen the brake pads by backing off the adjustments, which can be done with a special angled tool behind the back plate at the bottom. Chock the wheels, ALL FOUR, if you attempt to back off the brakes this way by loosening the brake pads! DANGER! Be safe, not quick. Be warned NOT to back them off too much, or you will have NO brakes if it does release. I'd say about 10 rachets should do. Not full ones, about 1/4 movements of the tool. If you're not comfortable with EITHER rocking it, or adjusting the brake pads, just call a tow truck with a wheel lift, and if the car is facing uphill, have them lift it and tow it down out of the driveway. Yeah, you'll pay, but better bled ( of money ) than dead ( underneath the car rolling on top of you ) - The Gremlin Guy -
2007-07-14 20:24:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like the parking brake cable has rusted up. If there is no safe way to take bolt cutters and cut the cable, you will have to have a tow truck remove it from the hill.
No matter what, the cable will have to be replaced.
Don't let anyone get hurt. Have it towed in and repaired the right way.
The only thing steep about this problem would be if someone had to lose there life over it. A life lost, is a steep price to pay.
2007-07-14 20:20:12 · answer #3 · answered by ronkpaws 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yup, sounds like the parking brake is stuck from sitting. If you try to "lube" the driveway, you may end up with your car sliding to far to fast. I'd pay the extra to get a tow truck out and get it moved safely to level ground where you can work on it.
2007-07-14 21:21:15 · answer #4 · answered by randy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
start it up and put it in drive and go foreward a bit. this should break free the frozen brake shoes. You may have to drive it very carefully at first and use the brakes often for the first few miles to make sure the rusty parts are free moving.
2007-07-14 20:16:17 · answer #5 · answered by dave 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need somebody or another car to push it forward slightly to allow the transmission to get out of park, the wheels are not locked up the whole weight of the car is sitting on the park mechanism of the transmission.
2007-07-14 20:16:18 · answer #6 · answered by cimra 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
put it is gear go forward and backward and touch the gas going forward and backward and it should break free,the pads are corroded on there from condisation a few hard jerks and it should pop free,
2007-07-14 20:11:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋