What Causes a Tire to Stop Rotating?
2 Answers
Tire rotation issues can be caused by several factors: 1. Parking brake engaged after washing in winter: Avoid pulling the handbrake tightly after washing your car in winter, as this can cause the rear wheels to freeze, resulting in one tire rotating while the other doesn't. 2. Neglecting tire bearing maintenance: Failing to regularly maintain tire bearings can lead to bearing cage damage, causing the axle to seize and resulting in one tire rotating while the other doesn't. 3. Severely worn brake pads: If your rear wheels use drum brakes with two brake pads inside, severely worn inner pads that aren't promptly replaced can cause the brake pads to seize, leading to one wheel rotating while the other doesn't. 4. Blocked brake fluid circuit: For vehicles with rear disc brakes, check if the brake fluid circuit is blocked, as this can cause the caliper to seize the brake disc, resulting in one wheel rotating while the other doesn't.
Oh, I've seen plenty of cases where tires won't rotate. As someone who frequently deals with vehicle malfunctions, I'd say the most common cause is a seized brake system—when brake pads rust onto the disc and can't move, especially after rain or prolonged parking. It could also be an issue with the drive shaft or differential, such as a broken axle or insufficient lubrication causing jamming. For four-wheel-drive vehicles, a malfunction in the front drive unit can lock up a wheel. Remember, if you encounter this situation, don't force towing—first check if the brake pads are stuck, use a jack to lift the vehicle and try manually rotating the wheel; if that doesn't work, call a tow truck to take it to a repair shop immediately to avoid damaging the tires or chassis. Regular cleaning of brake components can prevent this problem.
