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I've not driven my car much since before COVID as I had a brake fluid leak at the front.

I've finally swapped the cylinders at the front but when trying to drive the rear car brakes are amazingly stiff to the point I'm concerned about damaging the clutch.

The handbrake is off and the point on the wheels where they attach seem loose.I don't think this is a locked on handbrake.

I'm guessing this is internal corrosion on the drum jamming the wheel.

What is the best way to sort this out?

Thanks for your help

Reading your post you haven't said if the wheels actually turn. if they do, have tried to remove the drums? If you can get them off then just clean everything up, check for seized cylinders etc and make sure everything works as it should.

I haven't tried to remove the drums. The wheels turn under tow or just about with the engine.

I'll try but suspect I won't be able to get them off.

Thanks for your post

How old are your hoses? As they age, they deteriorate internally and prevent the fluid from flowing back when you let your foot off the brake keeping them locked. If the drums worked before, they are unlikely to go out of adjustment by sitting, and if they rotate even if there is some rust) this might be the more likely culprit

Thanks, I hadn't considered the hoses. That is a good call.

They are free! I jacked up and with the wheels off really worked the handbrake mechanism. I then released a small amount of brake fluid, backed off the adjusters, tapped around with a hammer and with the wheels back on they started to move.

Adjusted everything back up, checked the brakes worked and that the wheels were free after that. All good.

My self bleeder has gone walkabout so the brakes are spongy. I won't drive it until I have given the system a good bleed but I think I am there.

Not 100% sure what the issue was except general corrosion.

Thanks for people's help

glad it worked out!