How to Fix Rear Wheel Lock-up in a Sedan?

[Jon]

Identify the cause by checking the brake pedal and handbrake, and repair any faults promptly. Striking the sidewall of the tire firmly can help improve the situation. Replace the tire yourself with the spare or seek assistance from a repair technician for replacement.

[McJosephine]

Last time I drove my old Passat, I encountered the same issue - the tires left black skid marks on the road. Don't force it to move. Immediately get out and use a wrench to tap the edges of the brake discs. If there's rust, tap a few more times. If that doesn't work, find a hose to cool down the brake pads. Remember to check if the brake caliper pins are stuck - dust buildup easily causes them to seize. I've seen too many cases of locked brakes due to solidified grease during repairs. It's best to perform a thorough brake maintenance. Now, every time I wash my car, I ask the mechanic to rinse the inner side of the wheels, especially after rain, as brake dust clumping with water is particularly dangerous.

[Connor]

Don't panic when rear wheels lock up. In my 20 years of driving, I've seen many similar cases. First, try operating the handbrake lever a few times—sometimes the cable gets stuck. Pay special attention to antifreeze in winter. A fellow driver from Northeast China once had his brake fluid freeze due to water contamination, which locked the wheels and damaged the entire wheel cylinder. Remember these three maintenance tips: 1. Change brake fluid every two years without fail; moisture content spikes after 30,000 km. 2. Avoid pulling the handbrake too tight when parked, especially after car washes or in humid conditions. 3. Perform at least one emergency brake test monthly—listen for abnormal noises when braking hard at 40 km/h.

[Hadley]

As a mechanic who has repaired hundreds of accident-damaged vehicles, let me share some practical advice. Rear wheel lock-up is 80% likely caused by seized brake caliper guide pins, especially common in German cars. The solution involves five steps: 1) Jack up the wheel and remove the caliper; 2) Clean the guide pin bore; 3) Replace with special grease (never use regular grease); 4) Check brake hoses for internal cracks; 5) Adjust handbrake cable slack. I recommend performing caliper maintenance every two brake pad changes - spending around 100 yuan is far more cost-effective than replacing a 2000-yuan wheel cylinder.