Aaargh, help! Brake problem

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Topbannana

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Hi, I'm new here and in the depths of a crisis. So huge that I have not even got round to introducing myself so apologies in advance :)
We have a problem with our Freelander brakes. Earlier today we realised that the handbrake seems to be failing and only worked if put right on. I was going to take the car to the garage tomorrow, in the meantime we left it in gear when we got out.
Have just got home and on trying to reverse the car outside our house found the brakes have locked on completely. We managed to get it parked off the road but cannot get the brakes off now.
A couple things I am not sure may or may not be relevant (as I know nothing about cars :eek:)
It recently passed its MOT with an advisory about rear brake pipe corrosion.
It is now only two wheel drive
This has happened a couple times in the past but I have always been able to rock it back and forth to free them
We have just driven 300 miles, an unusual event for a car that normally only potters round town

Most pressingly though I have discovered my breakdown cover only kicks in if I am 1/4 mile away from home (and we have inconsiderably made it to our front door) Is there any way I can move it far enough that I can be picked up if necessary (please overlook our scandalous abuse of the breakdown service ;))
Many thanks
 
undo the centre consol around the brake lever.
there is an equalising bracket that the two brake cables attach to.
just slacken these off and see if it frees the wheels.

you will, of course, need to get it completely checked out by a mechanic ;)
 
put it in gear and give each rear drum backplate some sharp blows with a hammer and it will free off.
 
Your rear drum handbrake is actually part of the disc.
Where cars have all four disc brakes smaller hand brake shoes are used...

as the handbrake is only used to hold the car when stopped there is no need for large shoes as the braking of the car is done by all four discs...

unless you keep applying the handbrake before the car comes to a complete stop then disc pads are changed...

Normally by the time the handbrake shoes need changing its time to replace the lot... :)

Excess wear can occur if hill decent control is used too often, as the car applies disc brakes while descending and only releases them on wheel lock or acceleration...
 
Dippypud said:
Your rear drum handbrake is actually part of the disc.
Where cars have all four disc brakes smaller hand brake shoes are used...

as the handbrake is only used to hold the car when stopped there is no need for large shoes as the braking of the car is done by all four discs...

unless you keep applying the handbrake before the car comes to a complete stop then disc pads are changed...

Normally by the time the handbrake shoes need changing its time to replace the lot... :)

Excess wear can occur if hill decent control is used too often, as the car applies disc brakes while descending and only releases them on wheel lock or acceleration...
Click to expand...

hes got drum rear brakes
 
Well that didn't work either. We have tried walloping the drum with a hammer but it will not release (it looks like it may be on the passenger side only)
No mobile mechanics available to come out and recovery quotes starting at £80 as it needs trailering rather than towing away.
The one mechanic said it sounds like the shoe could have come away and be jammed. Does this sound likely for a car that passed its MOT 6 weeks ago?
 
Unfortunately the mot is only really valid on the day. It confirms your car was up to the standard it should be to pass, on that day. They can't really see inside the rear drums other than a peep hole to see the thickness of braking material on the brake shoe. Something could go wrong afterwards. You need to take the wheel oft and the drum oft to see what's gone wrong.
 
Dippypud said:
Your rear drum handbrake is actually part of the disc.
Where cars have all four disc brakes smaller hand brake shoes are used...

as the handbrake is only used to hold the car when stopped there is no need for large shoes as the braking of the car is done by all four discs...
Click to expand...


unles you own a ford then the handbrake is also on the rear disc so was my ST

as for the drum problem do you have 2 large prybars then get them at 9-3 on the drum and try and pry it forward and if you can get someone to hit the drum it would help and the pressure and the vibration might just slide the drum over the shoes if not will damage the shoe but its not like there expensive have to do this with a mates Transit
 
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