nibot ([personal profile] nibot) wrote2005-11-06 05:56 pm

automobiles

So, I haven't driven my car in a long time (a month? two months?). Now it has a new and hilarious malady: the rear wheels do not rotate.

[identity profile] auressiel.livejournal.com 2005-11-07 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
"Don't rotate" as in something needs to be lubricated or "don't rotate" as in they are getting no power?

[identity profile] nibot.livejournal.com 2005-11-07 12:26 am (UTC)(link)
Well, they certainly get no power, which is not too surprising considering that it is a front-wheel-drive car. (-:

[identity profile] auressiel.livejournal.com 2005-11-07 12:30 am (UTC)(link)

ey don't laugh! Lots of people who live up north have all-wheel-drive vehicles for the snow.


So, they've seized? I'd like to see how you plan to tow it to the mechanic.

[identity profile] cassiusdio.livejournal.com 2005-11-07 03:47 am (UTC)(link)
If your parking brake was engaged while it was lying in disuse, your parking brake cable is probably seized. Otherwise the rear brake calipers themselves could be seized. You should still be able to drive it to a mechanic, although you could boil your brake fluid. Fun fun.

[identity profile] nibot.livejournal.com 2005-11-07 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, the parking brake was on. The rear brakes are drum brakes, if that makes any different. Definitely can't drive--it would destroy the tires very quickly!

[identity profile] cassiusdio.livejournal.com 2005-11-07 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmm, drum brakes are ghetto old school and I don't know much about them. With disc brakes you could probably drive. One possibility is to wedge a tricycle under the rear bumper and then drive, but you probably wouldn't get past the driveway...

[identity profile] auressiel.livejournal.com 2005-11-07 11:46 am (UTC)(link)

Assuming you have ramps or jackstands, you should be able to get to the brakes and check to see if the calipers are seized. If it's the parking brake, check this out:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/sub_care_sat/1272381.html?page=2&c=y (http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/sub_care_sat/1272381.html?page=2&c=y).

Keep us posted on how it goes. :-)