Front wheel locked help

[Eddie Holland]

Hello,
My jeep has sit in my yard for over a year as I attempt to repair some rust in the battery compartment and under the gas tank. When I went to move the jeep with my lawn mower the front right wheel is not turning. What would be your guess as to what has happen? It was fine when parked 4th July 2015. Thanks for your help.
Eddie

[rickf]

Brake shoes rusted to the drum would be my best guess. Take the wheel off and smack the area between the lugs a few times with a hammer and then lightly hit the outer part of the drum also. then put the wheel back on and see if going forward and back will break it loose.

[Eddie Holland]

ok thanks.. if this is the case you think the pads would have to be worn out for this to happen? I got a few other front ends sitting around I could probably get pads off of if this is the case. I have never got into the brake pads before.

[rickf]

No pads, Brake shoes. Drum brakes and they do not have to be worn out for this to happen. The rust on the drums builds up and grabs onto the shoes. If they were worn down to nothing then you are going to have all kinds of problems getting them off between rust and a ridge on the drum and the fact you will have to back off the shoes with worn rusted adjusters. It would be a good idea to back off on the adjuster anyway but until you get them broken loose it will not really make any difference.