Rear wheels stuck

[Dafydd_Cymru]

MH is in the lockup and the rear wheels are stuck solid. Can't get anyone to come out to fix it...not sure if calling the AA is an option as its 3 miles from home.
But I thought it must be the handbrake...anyone ever cut a hand brake cable to try and free the rear wheels?
Then at least I can take it to a garage.

 

[The Wino]

I think it's more likely the mechanism is jammed or the shoes/pads stuck so cutting the cable probably won't help. Have you tried taking the handbrake off and reversing a bit if there's room.

 

[Realist]

Don’t cut anything it’s just stuck drums.

Give the wheels a bang with a lump hammer try and free them or rock the van back and fro until they free up.

But if the vans parked up for a long time dont apply the hand break, chock the wheels and leave it in gear.

 

[Lenny HB]

It won't be the cable it will be the shoes have bound themselves to the drum. Normally going between forward and reverse rocking the van releases them.

 

[stevewagner]

Rev it up and drop the clutch

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[gus-lopez]

Try in reverse . If not jack up remove wheel either side & lay in to drum with a rubber/leather/nylon hammer

 

[Dafydd_Cymru]

Problem was the insurance did a repair and drove it back for 2hrs with a sticky brake...bust the stair motor as well. Now they say they are investigating....that was weeks ago.
I'll try a few of those tips and see if any work...many thanks.

 

[2 Jabs]

Careful on the drums, as already advised leather hammer, rubber mallet or block of wood to hit.

 

[Boringfrog]

Handbrake off, backwards - forwards gently - repeat.

 

[tacr2man]

Watch you don't burn your clutch out when shunting fwd-rev .

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[dna]

we had a similar problem with a stuck hand brake. Our breakdown insurance sent a "man in a van" who couldn't free it at the roadside. As it would involve driving on the A55 to get to the fiat dealers, he decided it wasn't a good idea and arranged a low loader to take it.
If it doesnt "ping" free easily, I would call the AA

 

[The Old Man]

I guessing that you don't have AA Home Start and you are too close to home?

I have found that if you phone them they will upgrade your membership, at a price, and then come out to you.

Costs, but possibly cheaper than getting a garage involved or breaking something with failed DIY.

 

[pappajohn]

Take a large hammer and a socket which fits the studs/nuts.
Put socket on and hit HARD with hammer.
The brake shoes need a physical shock to free them... DON'T rev the nuts off it and dump the clutch... It could damage the brakes or worse.
In future when in storage chock the wheels and leave handbrake off.

 

[Crafty]

As per other posts above:

Happens regularly in our trailer.

A good whack on each wheel with a big rubber paving mallet sorts it every time.

The suggestion above of apllying the shock direct to the wheel nuts is a good one if you dont have a big rubber mallet.

 

[Twincam Escort]

Dont hit the drums with a steel hammer. Theres a strong possibility of cracking if you do.
Use a copper hammer.
Had the same thing with a Polo a few years ago. I sorted it out by removing the drums and grinding off a lip of metal on the inner edge.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Bessy765]

Use a watering can and boiling water, it will expand the drums.

 

[RobbyMClark]

Dafydd_Cymru have you had any luck with the above suggestions???
Want to find the best way just in case.

 

[Northern Boy]

What a great load of advise above, I too would be interested to hear the outcome.

Where I live we have harsh winters and I always park at home with the handbrake off and in gear as our brakes freeze in winter. If I have forgotten then gentle forward and reverse usually clears it with a 'clunk' as the brakes free up.