Rear Brakes Locked 1996 Windstar

[pf8kcab217]

Hi
I have a 1996 Ford Windstar. It has been parked for 3 mos. Today I started it and tried to back it out of the drive. I found the rear brakes totally locked up, the car will not move. Any suggestions as to possible cause?? Any similar stories?? Suggestions??
Thanks.
PGF

[wiswind]

Is the parking brake set?....
If it was set......it may not have released at both wheels.
I have not had that problem....but perhaps a look under the car....and follow the parking brake cables back.......

[cougarman]

I have seen this many times with many models. Brake shoes could be rusted to the drums. The rust acts like " glue" . Remove rear wheels,
hit the drums with a hammer, (which unfortunatly may damage drums if hit to hard in the wrong places ) to try to break it free. Also as stated in the other reply your cables may be siezed.

[BCMedic]

Cougarman is correct, the only thing I might add is to make sure the parking brake is released as wiswind stated, jack up the rear so the back wheels are off the ground and try rotating each one back and forth by hand to break them free.
If you can't budge them, try popping the adjuster plug out and ratchet down the pawl adjuster.

[mb8353]

Originally Posted by BCMedic

Cougarman is correct, the only thing I might add is to make sure the parking brake is released as wiswind stated, jack up the rear so the back wheels are off the ground and try rotating each one back and forth by hand to break them free.
If you can't budge them, try popping the adjuster plug out and ratchet down the pawl adjuster.

My wife's Junkstar did the same thing last Christmas. I took the cap off of the master cylinder which relieved enough pressure in the lines to get it back to the house. Then I replaced everything! Approximately, $300.00 as opposed to the $650.00 Meineke quoted. Hope that helps!