Car n00b returns! Wheels frozen solid?!?!

SexyBetty · 30 Jan 2006 at 09:41

Tried to move the BF's car this morning, its been sitting idle for a few weeks cos he's just got a new company car.

Well I try to move it, and it feels like theres bricks under the tyres! It wont move one bit! Is it possible the wheels have frozen, or rusted or something cos its been out of action for so long?

Malachy · 30 Jan 2006 at 09:43

sounds like the handbrake has jammed on. try to drive off with it like that it might free itself if not you will need to hjack up each corner and try to free the mechanism.
edit. Also try it moving it in reverse if you can this can often free up the handbrake if the car has drum rears.

Bill101 · 30 Jan 2006 at 09:48

if it has disc brakes then check how rusty they are,once you get it going a little gentle braking should rub it all off

Vanilla · 30 Jan 2006 at 10:06

Like above, sounds like the handbrake, they have a habit of sticking if they've been left on for weeks.

What car is it?

SexyBetty · 30 Jan 2006 at 10:18

Vanilla said:
Like above, sounds like the handbrake, they have a habit of sticking if they've been left on for weeks.

What car is it?

Nissan Almera "Twister", 02 plate

Firestar_3x · 30 Jan 2006 at 10:19

Drive it forward then backwards until it free's up, when i get Hire cars and leave mine for a week this happens on my back brakes.

SexyBetty · 30 Jan 2006 at 10:23

I did try pretty hard to drive it forwards, but didnt dare incase it came free and drove itself into the garage door

Is it a case of slow and steady?

Tesla · 30 Jan 2006 at 10:50

The brakes have just rusted together. It's quite common. Just drive it, may take a few more revs and lighter clutch to get away though.

Also, make sure there are not actual bricks under the wheels

chopchop · 30 Jan 2006 at 10:56

SexyBetty said:
Is it a case of slow and steady?

no its a case of FAST AND HARD

give it more revs

Firestar_3x · 30 Jan 2006 at 10:59

chopchop said:
no its a case of FAST AND HARD

give it more revs

Lets just agree that everyones technique differs

Gilly · 30 Jan 2006 at 11:02

chopchop said:
no its a case of FAST AND HARD

Agreed, but you need to build up to it.

SexyBetty · 30 Jan 2006 at 11:10

Thanks guys, Ill have another go when I get home

Origin · 30 Jan 2006 at 13:32

A good cure for this is a big block of wood that is a few inches wide and long enough to span the wheel and then hit it reasonably hard with a sledgehammer. This was what they did when they moved a car off our drive that had been sat there for a few months and seized up. The jolt seems to release the calipers.

Phantom · 30 Jan 2006 at 13:35

SexyBetty said:
Tried to move the BF's car this morning, its been sitting idle for a few weeks cos he's just got a new company car.

Well I try to move it, and it feels like theres bricks under the tyres! It wont move one bit! Is it possible the wheels have frozen, or rusted or something cos its been out of action for so long?

have you checked to see whether youve just left the handbrake on?

Firestar_3x · 30 Jan 2006 at 13:44

Phantom said:
have you checked to see whether youve just left the handbrake on?

I'm sure she will think of a sutable way to retort given time

Borris · 30 Jan 2006 at 14:17

I don't know what the weather's like up your neck of the woods - but if it's cold, the brakes may actually be frozen.

In which case you have to wait for them to thaw (or find a hairdrier with a long cord).