Nissan Repair: 91 Nissan Maxima V6 rear wheel locked up after long sitting, nissan maxima, parking brakes

Question
Hi! Let me thank you for your willingness to help first. My old 91 Nissan Maxima was driving fine before I left it in my driveway for about half a year. So, it was sitting in Michigan snowy winter for a long time. Now, I tried to start it, only to find that the rear wheels locked up. Front wheels are fine. Rear wheels simply do not turn at all. When I press the gas pedal hard, the rear wheels drag over the floor, but never turn. I think it might have something to do with the long sitting in snow. I don't know if it might have something to do with a powersteering leak? Anyway, it's an old car and I hope I can find some cheap way to have this fixed. If you could help, please do. I definitely appreciate your help greatly! Have a nice day!

Answer
Hi Robin -

I know this sounds crazy, but I wish it snowed here in Hawaii! Anyway, you probably think I am nuts for saying that - My dad went to school in Mich. Flint, to be exact.

Well, Were your parking brakes applied the whole time? If so, chances are moisture got into the cable housing and fused the cable in the locked position. If your hand brake seems loose when you release it, that is probably what happened. The other thing it could be is a frozen wheel cylinder, or even the brake lining rusted to the plate. In any case the rear brakes need to be worked on, and being that the wheels are frozen, it has to be worked on right on the spot or towed.

Are you planning on fixing this yourself? If so, I can try to walk you through it, however you will need some brake tools. If you plan to tow it to a repair shop. my estimate to fix would be $200, depending on whether the entire brake cable assembly has to be replaced.

Hope this helps -\
aloha
calvin