I have a '98 Mitsubishi Eclipse. I recently had some problems with the battery so I let it sit in my driveway for about two weeks while I got everything taken care of. I had the parking brake on the whole time because my driveway is on an incline.

I just got everything fixed (or so I thought) this afternoon and I went to take it out of the driveway and, low and behold, my left rear tire is completely locked up.

I took the tire off to see if I could jiggle it loose but that didn't work. I tried rocking the car back and forth but that didn't work either.

Is there anything else I can try on my own? Just like everybody else, I would prefer not to have it taken in because I have a feeling it's a very simple fix.

Questions: Drum rear brakes? Is there raw cable going into casing anywhere near that wheel that you could try pushing the cable towards the brake or is the cable free and the service brake locked? Can you tell which is at fault now?
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

Disc brakes in the rear, and no there is no raw cable. There are however two tubes, one of which I believe covers that cable. (after writing this i plan on seeing if that's the problem)

I can't really tell what's stuck. However, I failed to mention in my original post that the wheel will turn but only about half an inch, maybe an inch at the most. After that it stops completely.

I don't know if that helps anybody distinguish whether or not it is the parking brake or the regular brake.

Trying here but I don't know this car specifically: Parking brakes must be held mechanically not hydraulically so a cable is the choice of all cars I know of.

With rear discs it either has a fancy caliper with the cable going to it or a small drum brake inside the rotor out of sight but a cable (you are only seeing the outside case) goes to those instead of caliper.

If parking brake feels right when applied and released now it might not be the cable frozen itself but a problem right at the wheel. Let me/us know what type it is to suggest from there.

Also: Try to get this to level ground if still parked on that incline it's not safe to hoist a car that way,

T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
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http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

Found a diag! It does use a drum brake inside rotor. You should be able to tell if caliper pads are tight or not and if somewhat free or you can push them back just a tad wheel would either release or the problem is in the drum brake and PITA to get to with it stuck on. You may need some help with this!

T
Ps: Pic may click and enlarge view for you.......
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
_________________________________________

http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/

Unfortunately I still haven't solved the problem. I figured out that it's not the normal brake. The pads allow some small bit of movement. However, I can't get to the parking brake cable to see if it's the parking brake.

When I put the parking brake on, I can't move the wheel at all. When I release it, I can move it that inch or so I mentioned before.

Okay good news and bad news. I hopped in my car not too long ago just to try and rock it back and forth one last time, and it popped itself loose. So now the wheel is moving "freely".

The bad news is that now the brakes are grinding probably as a result of my tinkering. But at least now I can drive it in to have my brake guy look at it rather than paying for a flat bed.

Thank you for all your help. I'm still not exactly sure what was wrong with it in the first place unfortunately, but I did learn a heck of a lot about my cars brakes in the process so thanks a bunch!

What has happened to me with the drum parking brake is they are static brakes and never drag to clean up gun rust which can get worse and if those unseem parts get all stuck with rust, or a shoe losing it's bonded lining off of the metal of the shoe it could have all jammed up.

What I've suggested to folks with this type of parking brake is while they are working normall is to hold release while driving and drag them just a little bit now and then such that they stay in clean contact with the machined drum surface. Over some time like this one by age they should have rotors removed and just cleaned up in there and fully inspected.

IMO rear disc brakes and a separate drum brake for a parking brake is flawed engineering!

T
Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest Boston - USA
_________________________________________

http://www.autoacsystems.com/tomgreenleaf/