Why is one wheel of the car not turning?
2 Answers
If one wheel of the car is not turning, it is usually caused by the following reasons: 1. Pulling the handbrake tightly after washing the car: In winter, do not pull the handbrake tightly after washing the car, as this can easily cause the rear wheels to freeze, resulting in one tire turning while the other does not. 2. Not maintaining the wheel bearings: This can cause the bearing cage to deteriorate and lock the axle, leading to one tire turning while the other does not. 3. Rear wheels with drum brakes: There are two brake shoes inside. When the inner brake shoe is severely worn and not replaced in time, it can easily cause the brake shoe to lock, resulting in one wheel turning while the other does not. 4. Rear wheels with disc brakes: Check if the brake fluid circuit is blocked, causing the caliper to lock the brake disc, which results in one wheel turning while the other does not.
As an auto mechanic, I've removed plenty of wheels. When a single wheel won't turn, it's usually due to mechanical seizure. Last week, there was a Focus with its left front wheel locked up—the owner drove it hard for two kilometers until the rim was smoking. Upon disassembly, we found the brake caliper piston rusted solid, with the brake pads welded to the disc. Another common issue is a burnt-out wheel hub bearing, which sounds like sandpaper grinding metal when rotating. For 4WD vehicles, it's more complicated—problems with the transfer case or differential can also cause a single wheel to fail. Here's a quick diagnostic tip: jack up the car and try turning the wheel by hand. If it's stiff and makes strange noises, it's likely a bearing issue. If it stops after half a turn, it's probably a stone stuck in the brake pads or a faulty brake caliper retraction. But remember, never imitate that owner by forcing the car to drive—overheated rims can ignite the tire pressure sensor wiring!
