Handbrake Seized On - a little help?

[Sir Topham Hatt]

Ford Focus MK2.

It's not been moved for a couple of weeks which is usually okay but this time the brakes have really seized on.

I tries giving it a good pull in first but then the engine started very lightly smoking and smelt a bit burning.

Any advice on what I can do? Unfortunately to make it worse, I can't access the left hand side of the car as it's next to a wall. Also can't really reverse it because that side is also close to a wall (I put it in an end space in a car park).

Thanks

[Jimmy0]

Try taking off the handbrake and then rocking the car back and forth by hand and see if that frees it up.

[Sir Topham Hatt]

Hmm, tried that a little bit but I only have about a 15cm gap at the back before the wall. I'll give it another go though.

Not sure if trying to tow it with another vehicle would be a good idea?

[Detection]

I remember the old brakes before the disk type (The round rusty cylinder ones) my friend was car mad, and getting them off was a right mess on, but a couple hard bangs with a hammer onto a piece of wood resting on the brake cylinder would usually free them off

[Hum]

... the engine started very lightly smoking and smelt a bit burning.

I'm no mechanic, but this does not sound good -- take the car to a professional garage, before something worse happens.

[Sir Topham Hatt]

I'm no mechanic, but this does not sound good -- take the car to a professional garage, before something worse happens.

Yeah I think it was just because I was revving it (at 6/7 out of 8) for about 20 seconds. HOwever, can't move the car = no professional garage.

However there is one round the corner who may pop round.

Still might try towing it tomorrow, see if I can budge it a little.

[srbeen]

jack it up, remove the tires and see if you can free it by hand. Get it freed up (maybe WD40 help) and then clean and coat with some good spray on lubricant. be VERY careful not to get any on the pads/routers/hub!!

Most times you can jack up centre of rear of car with one jack. Then secure with jackstands.

Its usually a cable like a bike uses (bit thicker of course) that runs direct to the brakes. There should be videos on youtube or somewhere about the focus emergency brake system.

If you cant do all this - you may be able to tow it to a garage. I wouldn't pull it. you can warp things that way.

usually its only the rear tires but a flatbed would be optimal.

Use a rubber mallet or similar. don't beat on the brake system with metal one if you can avoid it. Also most braking systems have asbestos inthem. consider wearing gloves/mask.

[Detection]

jack it up, remove the tires and see if you can free it by hand. Get it freed up (maybe WD40 help) and then clean and coat with some good spray on lubricant. be VERY careful not to get any on the pads/routers/hub!!

Most times you can jack up centre of rear of car with one jack. Then secure with jackstands.

Its usually a cable like a bike uses (bit thicker of course) that runs direct to the brakes. There should be videos on youtube or somewhere about the focus emergency brake system.

If you cant do all this - you may be able to tow it to a garage. I wouldn't pull it. you can warp things that way.

usually its only the rear tires but a flatbed would be optimal.

Use a rubber mallet or similar. don't beat on the brake system with metal one if you can avoid it. Also most braking systems have asbestos inthem. consider wearing gloves/mask.

Yea this is what I was suggesting, usually a few whacks with something heavy but soft enough to not crack anything will free them off

[Sir Topham Hatt]

Update from today: Had a go at towing it with a thick rope and other vehicle, but it wouldn't budge, even with a little revving from the car itself.

SO, looks like a garage call out. Although I do have a large jack which would fit and stands and such, I can't remove one wheel due to it being so close to the wall.

I've left it in gear with the handbrake off (maybe it'll ping off over the next couple of days). If it's not okay by Tuesday I'll contact the garage.

[StevenNT]

I've left it in gear with the handbrake off (maybe it'll ping off over the next couple of days). If it's not okay by Tuesday I'll contact the garage.

To me that does not sound like a wise idea, what if it "pinged off" as you put it overnight and the car for what ever reason rolled into the road or somthing. Not somthing I'd be doing, I suggest get a garage to come and let them take it away to see what up.

[surrealvortex]

To me that does not sound like a wise idea, what if it "pinged off" as you put it overnight and the car for what ever reason rolled into the road or somthing. Not somthing I'd be doing, I suggest get a garage to come and let them take it away to see what up.

He's left it in gear. Should be fine.

[remixedcat]

who all went in here thinking this was for the encoding software??

[Dan~]

Have you tried going into reverse?

If it was my car, I'd try heating the brake area with a hairdryer or so for ages and with the engine on, get someone to keep pressing and depressing the brake pedal, after a while it should release, it's just the pistons stuck out and probably frozen

But most likely, the wheels will have to come off then push back in the pistons, but if your not too comfy with doing that someone will hasve to come out and do it for you

[stereopixels]

who all went in here thinking this was for the encoding software??

I did! :blush:

But to answer the question, as others have said the best thing to do is give the hub a (fairly good) tap with a hammer... sounds like you might burn the clutch out or damage your engine if you keep trying to move the car to free it. Just be careful not to hit the disc itself because you can easily damage that.

[Sir Topham Hatt]

Final Update:

Today I went over but the car was still as I left it.

Tried to put the car in gear, rev the car loads then quickly release the clutch thus stalling the car but bumping it forward. No workie.

A work colleague gave the drum on the accessible side a good bash and with a bit of revving, it drove forward. It dragged the other rear wheel (passenger side) but as I drove forward it gave us a bit more room so some more bashing and reversing/forward lark and it finally released.

I'll be getting them checked/changed this week then - but at least I can move it!

Thanks for the help :D

[Detection]

Final Update:

Today I went over but the car was still as I left it.

Tried to put the car in gear, rev the car loads then quickly release the clutch thus stalling the car but bumping it forward. No workie.

A work colleague gave the drum on the accessible side a good bash and with a bit of revving, it drove forward. It dragged the other rear wheel (passenger side) but as I drove forward it gave us a bit more room so some more bashing and reversing/forward lark and it finally released.

I'll be getting them checked/changed this week then - but at least I can move it!

Thanks for the help :D

If in doubt, give it a clout ;)