rear brake seized

[Squitty]

I left my car standing with the hand brake on and now cant move it because the rear brakes locked on.
I have been told to tap with a hammer - what am I supposed to be tapping?
Also been told could shatter the disc if I am not careful.

[gadgetgeek]

I have this problem with my Astra, especially after parking the car for a while when it was raining. I found placing a solid object against the wheel cyclinder, through the actual wheel, and tapping a few times with a hammer releases it. I carry the hammer and metal pipe in the boot with me now.

[TWR]

Hi, the wheel drum on the rear is made of light cast, to smack it HARD you are taking the chance of cracking the cast, if you have a rubber hammer ( Yes a large rubber hammer or a copper hammer hit the centre of the wheel a few times and try, if still locked take the wheel off and do the same, but do not smack it hard, put a wheel bolt into the hub & each time you have hit it use your wheel brace to see if the wheel has come loose.

[kent18]

Try Reversing the car.then forward a few times.if you have to hit the drum with anything use rubber malet or place a block of wood on drum and hit wood with hammer ,do not hit drum or disc too hard with mettal hammer

[woodchopper]

One released gets a mechanic to strip the brakes clean /grease and reassemble and you wont have any more bother for a year or two.