C3 rear locked on one side
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 3
C3 rear locked on one side
Went to move my 69 a couple of weeks ago. Been sitting in a heated garage since last on road in 06. Right rear seems to be locked up. Took the brake caliper off thinking this might be the problem, but it was not . With caliper off and car jacked up, only left rear spins freely in neutral ( auto trans) Right rear will not turn. What could this be and what is my next move?
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Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '22
Went to move my 69 a couple of weeks ago. Been sitting in a heated garage since last on road in 06. Right rear seems to be locked up. Took the brake caliper off thinking this might be the problem, but it was not . With caliper off and car jacked up, only left rear spins freely in neutral ( auto trans) Right rear will not turn. What could this be and what is my next move?
with one turning alone, something is broke/ worn.
I am not an expert.
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Welcome, and the cars been sitting for a long, long time.
Parking brake locked, rusted up?
Remove half shaft from back side of spindle. Does it turn? Still locked? Frozen Parking brake or Frozen bearings.
Leaving car to sit and deteriorate for that long can cause a variety of problems.
Parking brake locked, rusted up?
Remove half shaft from back side of spindle. Does it turn? Still locked? Frozen Parking brake or Frozen bearings.
Leaving car to sit and deteriorate for that long can cause a variety of problems.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 3
Welcome, and the cars been sitting for a long, long time.
Parking brake locked, rusted up?
Remove half shaft from back side of spindle. Does it turn? Still locked? Frozen Parking brake or Frozen bearings.
Leaving car to sit and deteriorate for that long can cause a variety of problems.
Parking brake locked, rusted up?
Remove half shaft from back side of spindle. Does it turn? Still locked? Frozen Parking brake or Frozen bearings.
Leaving car to sit and deteriorate for that long can cause a variety of problems.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,282
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I've been a mechanic for 50 years. I can assure you that everything deteriorates with time. Even in a climate controlled garage. Granted, it's a whole lot better being inside than out in the weather and sunlight. But Father time takes his toll no matter.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Connecticut, USA
As mentioned above, if the 1/2 shaft is removed, that will isolate the outer axle from the diff. You can then turn the other wheel and see if the axles moves. The outer axle should spin by hand, not free wheel, but not lock up. It may be frozen parking brakes, if you rock the wheel back and forth that should break it free.
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 3
As mentioned above, if the 1/2 shaft is removed, that will isolate the outer axle from the diff. You can then turn the other wheel and see if the axles moves. The outer axle should spin by hand, not free wheel, but not lock up. It may be frozen parking brakes, if you rock the wheel back and forth that should break it free.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Seattle Washington
Has the car been stored all this time with the Parking Brake set ? The Parking Brake Cables could be frozen up. By removing the Wheel and following the Cable to where it ends it attaches to a lever. Try knocking this lever aft.
Last edited by Gale Banks 80'; Oct 13, 2024 at 07:52 AM. Reason: Had my direction backwards
Racer
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Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2024
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always check the simple things first .. you may just have a frozen caliper. A lot of owners think they are “SAVING” there cars by not driving them. Even putting your car to sleep for the winter is not good !! Nothing is moving and when spring comes along they have problems with there brakes , carburetor’s gasket leaks etc .. I personally don’t play into the whole ethanol thing either. I have never had one problem with using regular gas in over 35 years as long as i keep the gas moving and drive it often .. A car in motion stays in motion good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Seattle Washington
We’ll tonight I removed the rotor and discovered it was the emergency brake hanging up the rotor. I will put on a new rotor as the one I took off was pretty corroded. I have also decided that after owning this Lemans Blue convertible since 74 and turning 67 in a couple of weeks it is time to let this girl go. Numbers matching survivor who hasn’t seen rain in 50 years, it is time for someone else to take over. Just don’t have the passion to fix her any more and paying people to do the work is too costly. Thanks again for all of the knowledgeable responses and wish me luck!
