My girlfriend's Fabia, has this problem where the rear drum brakes seem to lock on after the handbrake has been taken off. You try to set off and the car just won't move, sometimes you even need to get out and give it a bit of a push to get going.

This morning I was reversing it off the drive to get to my Octy and I managed to drive back for a while with one of the wheels not rotating at all. (the might of a 1.2!!).

Seems to be worse when it rains, and then the car sits overnight, or for a couple of days. Is this normal? Have to admit the only car I have ever had which didn't have rear drum brakes in my Octy, so I not think this should be happening.

Did a search on here but couldn't find anybody else with a similar problem.

Car is in for annual service next week, so any suggestions welcome.

On my last service they told me the rear deumbreaks was almost permanently locked. The fix was to take them apard, lube all moving mechanical parts and put it all together again....

Used to get this in my old chavalier. With that, it was brake fluid leaking in the drum causing the stick. I think that was caused by leaving the h-brake on for weeks/months at a time (was my parents when they lived overseas).

Perhaps you can just leave the car in gear - or be real gentle with the h-brake?

Hope this helps, D

sounds like the brakes need to be stipped and rebuilt to me.

maybe the handbrake mechanism is stuffed. or the wedge keys are getting jammed onto the tension adjuster. needs a stripdown i reckon!

My MGBGT does this too - I suspect the handbrake mechanism but haven't been able to prove it...

sounds like the shoes are sticking to the drums , especially after wet conditions , deffo strip down required

sounds like the shoes are sticking to the drums , especially after wet conditions , deffo strip down required

Agreed