Ford Ka, Rear Near-Side Wheel Locked ?!

[Vini]

Partner went out to her car (T Reg, Ford Ka) earlier, released handbrake, and bizarrely the rear near-side wheel is locked.

Any ideas what might be causing this?

My knowledge has enabled me to jack the POS and kick the wheel, thats about it. Suggestions/things to try?

I'm guessing it's handbrake/brake drum related, it's been parked on a hill and not moved for a few days, but other than that it's been ok - passing its MOT in March.

[dave87]

If its been wet recently, probably the drum and shoe stuck together - happened a few times on Mum's Escort GTi when she had it (a fair few years ago now - but the principle is the same).

Need to drive forwards on a good grippy surface, you'll hear a sudden bang and it'll be turning again

[Vini]

Need to drive forwards on a good grippy surface, you'll hear a sudden bang and it'll be turning again

My kind of advice, but I haven't got the balls to try it as knowing my luck there won't be a bang and we'll have to abandon it halfway down the main road.

At present it's safely tucked away on the drive.

[dave87]

'tis only what the garage would do.

Mum was similarly worried by the advice - but it came from a family member who used to be a Service Manager for Ford, and he said it quite often happened when cars had been valeted and then left to stand.

[Rave]

If you've got the car jacked up, stick a torque wrench on one of the wheel nuts and free it up that way. Probably best to try undoing the nut first as if it takes a lot of torque to free the brake the nut could end up very tight if you're trying to do it up. Or, if the driveshaft nut is accessible and you have a big socket to fit it, use that.

[peterb]

'tis only what the garage would do.

Mum was similarly worried by the advice - but it came from a family member who used to be a Service Manager for Ford, and he said it quite often happened when cars had been valeted and then left to stand.

^^ +1

You don't need to move it far, and try reverse first. Just rocking it should do the trick (Sorry cross posted with Rave - but if the limit is jacking up the car and kicking the wheel, you probably won't have a torque wrench to hand - or the skill to use it without risking damage to you or the wheel studs)

[GoNz0]

grow a pair and pull off back and forth until it free's up

[rox0r]

Exactly the same thing happened to my brother in law's car a while ago. AA man came out, took the wheel off and proceeded to batter the brake drum with a hammer once or twice. Sorted it right out no problem.

[Vini]

Cheers for your replies people, will have a go tomorrow!

[Vini]

Bottled it and called RAC.

[Vini]

RAC just this second left. Are they not allowed to accept drinks? Or just too polite? Both times I've used RAC they've both declined...

First thing he did was jack it and crack it. Good to watch for future information. But cracking it did not help.

He then disassembled the brake itself, and found that the bond holding the shoe had failed. Apparently some shoes are bonded, some are drilled and riveted. The rivets rarely fail, the bond often does. As is the case here.

So it's been towed off for new rear brake shoes and cylinders tomorrow.

[kalniel]

RAC just this second left. Are they not allowed to accept drinks? Or just too polite? Both times I've used RAC they've both declined...

You're not pretty enough?

edit: or maybe you're too pretty..

[TAKTAK]

RAC just this second left. Are they not allowed to accept drinks? Or just too polite? Both times I've used RAC they've both declined...

First thing he did was jack it and crack it. Good to watch for future information. But cracking it did not help.

He then disassembled the brake itself, and found that the bond holding the shoe had failed. Apparently some shoes are bonded, some are drilled and riveted. The rivets rarely fail, the bond often does. As is the case here.

So it's been towed off for new rear brake shoes and cylinders tomorrow.

That's exactly what happened to mine a few weeks ago , except mine went while reversing in the middle of the road (*facepalm*)

I just jacked it up, dropped the wheel off, hit the drum until it decided that it wanted to be prised off, and then pulled the brake lining out and drove the car out of the way, while i got my dad to give me a lift to buy some new shoes.

it's only a 10 minute job to fit shoes though, so i'm not entirely sure why they've towed the car :/

Not sure why it would need new cylinders either...

Brake lining coming adrift is very common since it's not riveted anymore, i wouldn't have thought that would have managed to cause damage to the cylinders..

[GoNz0]

sounds like mr RAC creamed the cylinders while he was at it.

[Vini]

sounds like mr RAC creamed the cylinders while he was at it.

The cylinder was just seeping a bit of fluid, I don't think mr RAC caused it. The car's 12 years old. Can't really blame it.

[GoNz0]

regardless there is a very good chance in damaging the cylinders when you remove a seized drum m8, im glad i got discs all round