What Causes the Left Rear Wheel of a Car to Lock Up and Stop Moving?
2 Answers
The rear wheel locks up due to water entering the brake drum. If the vehicle has been parked for an extended period, water may not be promptly removed after rain, or if water enters the brake drum during car washing without proper treatment, the brake drum can rust, eliminating the gap between the drum and the brake shoes, leading to wheel lock-up. Additional relevant information is as follows: Solution: Replace the brake shoes. Main cause: The master cylinder cup sticks and fails to return, causing the rear wheel to lock up. This may occur due to water or other contaminants entering the brake system, or if the system was not cleaned before switching to a different brand of brake fluid, causing the master cylinder cup to swell and resulting in the rear wheel locking up.
When the left rear wheel suddenly locks up and won't move, I think we should start with common mechanical issues, mainly focusing on brake system failures. The most frequent cause is a stuck brake caliper, where the piston gets rusted or clogged with debris, preventing it from retracting and locking the wheel. A faulty brake wheel cylinder could also be the culprit, causing uneven hydraulic pressure that leads to one-sided locking. ABS system issues are less common, but dirty or malfunctioning sensors can mistakenly trigger braking. The parking brake system should be checked too—stuck drum brake shoes or rusted cables can jam the wheel. Severe wheel hub bearing wear increasing friction resistance can also prevent rotation. This problem is extremely dangerous while driving, potentially causing the vehicle to skid or lose control. Immediate action is required: slow down, pull over, and turn off the engine. Check if the wheel hub is overheating by touch, but never force it to move—it's a major safety hazard. The best solution is to visit a professional shop to replace the caliper or clean the wheel cylinder.
