I live in Nome Ak and it is already getting cold. This morning I started the quad and it wouldn't move. The Back brakes which had not been working at all where now locked. I could not even move the hand lever. I am completely new to owning a quad. I have no experience working on them. The one I have, I bought used. It has worked fine(other than the back brakes). I mostly use it for going to town and such, no wild stuff. Any ideas on what to do to keep this from happening again would be appreciated. Thanks

 

What type of brake is on the back? If it is a large housing with the brake enclosed...tear it apart and make sure it isnt full of water and whatever else. Is it possible that it was frozen? I guess that I have no idea what cold means to you. The other option would be to move to warmer climate!! LOL.
Mudslinger2

 

I rode a kodiak 400 and experienced the same problem. The seals were bad and when I rode through water the brake hub would fill with mud and water that would then not drain. When it got below freezing the water would freeze and lock up the rear axle basically as if I had set the parking brake. I would put a small electric heater blowing on it and it would defrost enough to ride. The short term fix was to remove the wheel and take the hub apart and clean and dry it before cold weather and it was fine for the winter. The long term fix was new seals to keep the water out. Not sure what you are riding or what kind of brakes you are dealing with. Hope this helps.

 

Also what brand and model atv you have?