Urgent help please - Rear drum stuck on!

[smurfbus]

Hi, sorry for the urgency of this post, but we're supposed to be driving to a wedding and the rear drums appear to be seized! Trying to get the van off the drive and depressing the handbrake, but the rear drums are fixing on. I have checked the handbrake cable operation which appear fine, and have given the engine everything to force them off, but no joy.

Any ideas or help much appreciated! The van was last driven two days ago, and has driven fine all summer.

[smurfbus]

Phew! Mallet to the drums appears to have sorted it, so we're off on our way. Handbrake cable feels a bit loose, anything I should be checking??

Thanks again!

[JonB]

I was going to suggest a mallet to unseize them.

Handbrake take a look at the wiki, I used it a few months back and adjusted the brakes well...and rather easy

[Oldiebut goodie]

Sometimes dropping the clutch in reverse will release them - if it happens again.

[itchyfeet]

I try not to use the handbrake because shoes can rust to drums in a few days when left wet.
I have a gravel drive and once rusted you can't pull away because the other wheel spins
You have to jack the van and use a breaker bar to turn the wheel.

[300CE]

If you can rock it in gear using the accelerator and the brake this usually releases it, takes some practice. Mine sometime sticks if I've washed it and water get into the little hole on the drum. As itchy says, try not to use the handbrake if I can help it when it's parked up at home.