I have what sounds like a really dumb question: shouldn't the rear wheels on my 2002 Civic Si rotate? When I jack up either of the rear wheels, ensure the parking brake is off, and attempt to rotate the wheel by hand, it won't spin unless I apply quite a bit of force. The car drives OK. I don't notice a drag, but I do hear a squeal from the back at low speeds. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

 

I just had my 2003 Civic EX up on jackstands yesterday, and yes, my back wheels rotated freely, even in park. Do you have discs or drums in the back? Mine has drums. If you wheels dont move at all, your brakes might be dragging.

I also checked the front wheels, which were considerably harder to move, but still moved freely. They also moved all by themselves when the car was running in neutral... that seems odd to me.

 

are your rear brake pads new? do you have aftermaket rims?

 

Did you pump the brake pedal with the engine off before jacking up the rear end? If you do that, the brakes will remain clamped and cause what you have described.

 

Thanks to all that responded.

The car has disk brakes front and back, and the rear pads have been replaced within the past year. The rims are stock.

I do not recall pumping the brakes prior to jacking up the car, but that doesn't mean I didn't do it. I'll try again this weekend, and specifically avoid pumping the brakes. Is there any way to ensure they have released once the car is jacked up?

 

when you goto stop before jacking it up, you can use the ebrake to stop so you dont have to pump the brakes. but make sure its in park and you also release the ebrake to rotate wheels

 

Well it should be fine as long as you don't touch the brake pedal after you've shut the car off.