Did the car sit for a long time? If it did, the metallic shoes have rusted
to the drum OR pads to discs depending on your setup. Sometimes trying to
go backwards, or rocking the car a bit will get it to pop free. If that
fails, try jacking the car, and take the rear wheels off and moderately
tapping the CENTER of the drum with a hammer, with the brake in the off
position. When/if it does become free, get under the car and lube up your
cables. Drive around a very short distance (providing you get it free) and
listen for grinding. If there is grinding, it may require a brake job. If
no noise, and your e-brake does not bind, leave it alone. If it does not
free up then, get it to a brake shop.
I recommend that if you are leaving a car sit for a long period of time in
damp weather, , find level ground, put chocks on either side of the wheel
and leave the parking brake off, and leave the gearbox in reverse or high
gear.
..
"Dan Pilkington" <pilk00@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:6z%Ja.8507$Fy6.2973@sccrnsc03...
> ...on my '95 Civic Hatchback. Should I get it towed to a shop, or is this
a
> relatively easy thing to fix? Thanks!
>
>

 

Thanks for the info! The car sat for maybe 10 days. A relative had used
it - I thought maybe she had pulled on the brake harder than I normally do,
but I realize there was something wrong nonetheless. Will try your ideas
soon.

Dan

"eightupman" <eightupman@hotmailnospam.com> wrote in message
news:Hh4Ka.158939$jp.4475168@twister.southeast.rr. com...
> Did the car sit for a long time? If it did, the metallic shoes have
rusted
> to the drum OR pads to discs depending on your setup. Sometimes trying to
> go backwards, or rocking the car a bit will get it to pop free. If that
> fails, try jacking the car, and take the rear wheels off and moderately
> tapping the CENTER of the drum with a hammer, with the brake in the off
> position. When/if it does become free, get under the car and lube up your
> cables. Drive around a very short distance (providing you get it free)
and
> listen for grinding. If there is grinding, it may require a brake job.
If
> no noise, and your e-brake does not bind, leave it alone. If it does not
> free up then, get it to a brake shop.
> I recommend that if you are leaving a car sit for a long period of time in
> damp weather, , find level ground, put chocks on either side of the wheel
> and leave the parking brake off, and leave the gearbox in reverse or high
> gear.
> .
> "Dan Pilkington" <pilk00@attbi.com> wrote in message
> news:6z%Ja.8507$Fy6.2973@sccrnsc03...
> > ...on my '95 Civic Hatchback. Should I get it towed to a shop, or is
this
> a
> > relatively easy thing to fix? Thanks!
> >
> >
>
>