Brakes Seem To Be Locked On

[StanH]

I have just been to get the car out and I simply can't move it - the brakes appear to be locked solid.

Any suggestions as to what the problem might be urgently needed

Thanks

Stan

[georgen]

has it been parked for an extended time with handbrake on?

[StanH]

No, it only went into the garage a couple of days ago.

Pretty sure it is not the handbrake as front wheels are solidly locked

[Preee]

Rear drums could be seized , if you have a rubber mallet , give them both a tap , then rock the car forward and reverse.

If it comes free then you know you have a problem in either the drums or the hand brake cable.

Ok scrap that idea you posted saying it was the front.

Check fluid level and/or for leaks , check the small air feed vacuum pipe is attached to the master cylinder

[georgen]

if you try to pull away does it stall, can you jack one front wheel up and see if it turns?

[StanH]

Thanks, perhaps I should rephrase this - I have assumed it is the brakes because all the wheels are locked solid

[georgen]

but how do you know all the wheels are locked solid, what happens when you try to pull away

[StanH]

If I try to pull away either forward or backwards the car tries to move but cannot.

I have tried to move each wheel separately but they do not give an inchj

[georgen]

so you have jacked each wheel up and tried to turn yes?

[Preee]

What happens if you pump the brake ? , does it go all the way down , does it feel normal , does it not move at all?

[artscot79]

front brakes sound like they are ceased solid ive never had this happen on any car so im at a loss as to why it would just cease up like that i think you should jack the car up and check the front wheels as its possible the rears are stuck

[StanH]

When I push the foot brake it only moves as if the brakes are already on.

My thoughts go around master cylinder etc.but I don't know my way around the engine bay enough to recognise anything but the most obvious bits - I am thinking I will have to call a garage out. I don't have breakdown insurance

[StanH]

I suppose that is a better description of the problem - it is as if someone is sat there with their foot hard on the brake

[mixmasterlooney]

Stan you didn't really answer the question completely if you jacked up the car and tried to spin each wheel by hand. You said you tried each wheel but not if jacked up or not?

Jack up the front end put it on axle stands, put it in gear and SLOWLY release the clutch pedal without giving it any gas (With the front end on axle stands) only lift it high enough for the wheels to be off the ground...

If you don't have axle stands you can do it with two trolley jacks but seriously be careful if you choose to do this.

This will eliminate the front wheels 100% then you will with no doubt know your drums are locked up... in that case you can take off the rear wheels bash it with a rubber mallet a few times put the wheels on rock it back and forth.

Deffo try and eliminate the front first though

[georgen]

its not something stupid keep peddle pressed is it, get hold of it by hand and pull back up to see if it moves, also in relation to the clutch peddle, where is it sitting higher or lower and by how much?

[StanH]

Still don 't know exactly what it was, but the guy from the garage eventually just drove it up the suspension and it cleared it.

I will obviously get the brakes checked properly, but for now, at least I am mobile again - phew!

Thanks for all the suggestions

[alexp999]

If it appeared to drive up the suspension (i.e lift up at front and dip at the back) it must have only been the rear brakes that were seized.

Do you have rear drums or discs?

[martyntdci]

Put in in either 1st or reverese n try rocking it to release.... if it don't work give it loads of beans..... yet again jack it uo n try spinning the wheels

[artscot79]

The mk2 rear cable feeds through various clips that can rust up wd40 will help just get under the rear look at the rear hub pass side and drivers and youll see where the cable runs follow it and youll see where the cables fed through a metal grommet give all points a soak in wd40 leave for 10 mins then work the handbrake cable its worth noting the rear drums are prone to sticking slightly in cold wet conditions like winter so if possible leave the handbrake off or loose

[StanH]

Thanks, artscot, I will certainly give that a go - and be less forceful with the handbrake

[artscot79]

Common issue with the rear drums happened on my mk1 too so ide do the above every few months

[Craigsemmens145]

Hi I got a Ford Focus on a 2015 ford focus mk3 brake not released only 1 wheel front