Rear Drum Brakes Locked Up After Sitting: What to Do?

A quick fix to try when your rear drum brakes are locked up after sitting is to forcefully rock the vehicle forward and backward. This has to be done in first and reverse gears. You may be fortunate to hear a "bang", meaning that the brake has gotten unstuck.

Brake pads problems highlights

• Level of urgency:super-urgent
• DIY diagnostics:possible but complicated
• DIY repairs:impossible
• Price for repair:$250 - $450
• Common symptoms:sounds when braking, unintentional braking, warped rotor
• Commonreasons:bad pads, improper installation, old pads
• If ignored:rotor wear, bad brakes, damage to the system

What Are Drum Brakes?

The only thing that most drivers know about their brakes is the familiar action of putting a foot down on the pedal. Your braking system can either be in drum or disc form. It's very easy to recognize disc brakes from afar. They slow the vehicle down after the pads have been pressed on a disc.

On the other hand, drum brakes aren't that easy to notice from a distance. They work with the aid of a brake drum attached to the wheel. Such brake types were first utilized in Maybach vehicles. The system is composed of brake drums, brake shoes, and hydraulic wheel cylinders.

Pressing down on the brake pedal will push the two brake shoes against the inside of the drum. The shoes are lined with friction material that produces the necessary force for slowing your car down to a stop.

Drum brakes don't have pads, thus the need for brake shoes. It may be hard for the inexperienced eye to differentiate between brake pads and brake shoes. But they both serve similar purposes in braking systems.

What Causes Rear Drum Brakes to Lock Up?

Keep in mind that the jam only happens to the rear wheels due to the automatic braking system. Your car's rear wheels are most likely to get stuck often during winter or the rainy season. And more factors that contribute to the problem, as given below.

1) Brake Drum Rust

This occurs as a result of frequent snow or rain where the vehicle is parked. Rust builds up on brake drums due to high humidity levels. Even the calipers of a braking system can be affected by rust.

2) Bad Corrosion

This can be caused by factors such as rust, accumulation of dirt, grinding of the wheel's metallic parts, etc. Brake drum corrosion can be worsened by the use of road salt during winter.

3) Water from Car Wash

Brake drums may also get jammed after a visit to the car wash. The water used may find its way into the brake drum's inner parts, thereby triggering a seizure.

4) Long-Term Parking

An example of this situation is when you travel for days or weeks without your car. Leaving it unused means it will be sitting for a lengthy period without moving.

Preventing Your Rear Drum Brakes from Getting Stuck

It's better to avoid the hassle of looking for a solution to the lock-up with some proactive measures. Thankfully, the steps presented below are easy to follow.

• Park with Protection

Use vehicle covers when parking your car for a long duration in low temperatures. Having a garage to park the vehicle in will provide added protection.

• Utilize Ramps

Using ramps to hold the vehicle instead of hand braking is a good idea. This is because the application of a handbrake leaves room for jamming to occur in many instances.

• Go for Regular Wheel Maintenance Checks

It's a fact that wheels and brake drums are mostly made up of metallic materials. This means that the emergence of rust will always be something to worry about. Remove all the visible rust you find on the wheels and brake drums and clean them thoroughly. A brake cleaner should be used in this case.

Tackle the accumulation of corrosive materials by pressure washing or a good hose-down around the car's underbody. Apply anti-rust spray paint on the inside of the drum once you're done cleaning. Perform a brake drum replacement if the one in use is worn out.

• Use the First Gear

This is suitable for parking in a flat-floored garage or private space. Leave the car in first gear without the handbrakes in use. Avoid rolling by fixing chocks at the wheels.

However, don't apply this tip to public parking. For example, roadside parking. Any impact from a passing vehicle could make your car roll. It's also a bad idea to implement this method when parking your car on a slope. Fixing chocks at the wheels isn't advisable in this case.

• Routinely Move the Vehicle Weekly

Moving your car forward and backward once a week will help to loosen things up. It's a way to maintain your battery and tires as well. For example, avoiding the appearance of flat spots on the tires. Remember to do it in a safe and spacious place.

How To Fix Rear Drum Brakes When They Lock Up

You can learn some DIY rear drum brake repair tips instead of having to call a mechanic to the rescue. The steps below may save you from getting stranded in the worst of locations. I grouped them into simple and complex approaches.

Simple Approaches To Release Stuck Rear Drum Brakes

Step 1: Rock the Car Sideways

Remember what I stated earlier about rocking the car forward and backward? Well, this is what to do when that idea fails. Try putting the handbrake off and rocking the vehicle right to the left. Ensure that the wheels are chocked or leave the vehicle in gear. This is to prevent it from rolling if the brakes get released.

Step 2: Working the Handbrake

Engaging and disengaging the handbrake an equal number of times may loosen the grip on the drum. The calipers' adhesiveness can trigger this effect.

Step 3: Hit the Wheel

This is the way forward when all the three solutions I mentioned earlier fail. It's the last simple method to try, so hope for the best.

Use a hammer to hit the adjacent sides of the affected wheel. Be careful not to hit the rim in the process to avoid denting it. Hitting the wheel will dislodge the rust that has accumulated on its drum. Such effort can trigger an unlocking.

Complex Approaches To Release Stuck Rear Drum Brakes

Step 1: Hit the Brake Drum

This long but straightforward procedure involves removing the wheel that has the seized brake. Do so by removing the bolts holding the wheel and dislodging the tire as well. The drum should be visible now.

Chock one of the front wheels, remove the handbrake and put the vehicle in gear or park. All the conditions for hitting the drum have now been met. Proceed to pound the drum between the wheel fixings with a hammer. The impact will free up the drum, making it turn with ease.

Apply the handbrake, re-install the wheel and tire, and go for a drive. Utilize the brakes several times while driving so that the rust can be eliminated. Some people clear the rust from the drum with heat before re-installing the wheel and tire. It's done using fire from a torch.

Step 2: Using Penetrating Oil

Penetrating oils like WD-40 protect and rid the metallic parts of the drum brakes of rust and corrosion. They can also get into the stuck area and free up the drum with enough lubrication.

Start by exposing the drum as described in the previous solution. Pound the drum with a hammer as well. You can now spray the oil in between the drum and the wheel. Target the rotary joint that makes the wheel turn. The jam should be fixed by now.

But be careful - this method will limit the functionality of the drum brake for some time.

Step 3: Full Braking System Check

You may have to do a full examination of the braking system by hiring a mechanic. This is in case it hasn't undergone a maintenance check for about 10,000 miles. Too much rust and dirt may be present in it.

When Should You Replace Your Drum Brakes

Disc brakes should be swapped out at least after about 80,000 miles. But drum brakes can last longer than that. You shouldn't bother about getting new ones until around 120,000 miles or more. Regular maintenance will help you hit the higher range.

Conclusion

The locking up of rear drum brakes isn't an uncommon occurrence. Many vehicle owners complained of this problem when they don't drive their vehicles too often.

Try to keep calm when it happens because it's typically caused by minor issues needing easy repairs. It's always a good idea to call an auto repairer when the problem seems to be bigger than what you can handle.