Stuck hand brake

[jo90]

My sons car has been sitting on the drive for 6 months and he left the handbreak on.It's now locked solid. How do I release it?

[steve kite]

release the handbrake, start the car and rock the car with 1st and reverse gear. the brake is stuck due to fresh corrosion between the shoes and the drum. after a couple of to and fro movements the brake will release

[homer75]

Make sure the levers are operating on the backplates when you pull the handbrake lever on and off - if these are ok then you may need to shock the drums with a few heavy hammer blows to release the shoes. It's better to remove the road wheels to do this. The drums won't break so don't be afraid to give them a good whack.

[homer75]

Just realised - i'm assuming it's drums on the rear of your son's car - rear discs are a different story.

[maxximus]

would still have a drum brake set-up under the rotor.

[qapmoc]

I can't quite agree that hitting your brake drums with a hammer will not break them, most are cast iron which can be brittle, I suggest that you hit the drums with either a big rubber hammer or use a block of hard wood on the drum and hit that with the hammer.

[homer75]

Been hitting 'em hard for 20 years and never broke one yet ! Rubber hammer best used for beating the missus.