How do I get the rear wheels on a 1996 Honda Civic to unlock?

Not sure about the advice above...If your experiencing a rear wheel locking up, I've seen where the emergency brake cable is not releasing and is stuck. Best bet is to have someone operate the E-brake while you watch the cable underneath the car on the right side. If you don't see the cable retracting, clamp a pair of vice grips tightly onto the cable (away from where it could retract into the sheath) and tap the vice grips "away" from the wheel. This will "persuade" the cable to retract, therefore releasing the emergency brake. If that's it, don't use the emergency brake until you either lube it real well or replace it. Good luck!

Dont try to repair the wheel cylinders. It is much easier and not expensive to replace them . new ones are available from an aftermarket auto store. Do one side at a time so you can refer to the unstripped down side if you cant work out how it goes back together. Place a clamp or locking pliars on the rear flexible brake pipe to stop loosing all the brake fluid when the cylinders are removed. Remove the shoes and cylinder , Fit new cylinder, replace the shoes if they are soaked in brake fluid or badly worn. When you have done both sides bleed and sdjust them. make sure you top up the master cylinder with brake fluid. If this is helpful Please Vote Jeff

1997 Honda Civic is a front wheel drive vehicle, no fluids in the rear.

Safely jack it up, and use safety stands, spray penetrating fluid ( WD-40 or similar) on cables where they go in to any sleeves. Let it soak a few minutes, then try pulling and releasing slightly on handle to see if they'll let loose, as well as tap sleeve where cable goes in to sleeve. Also try a quick rap on rim of brake that is holding if they are standard metal rims. Try backing up slightly as well. Get them checked and lubed after as well as pull wheels and check for proper lube on shoes/calipers after.

check your struts if i remember they are air struts and whey can and do blow up and also the air lines come off from time to time

jack it up, remove wheels, spray rotor with wd-40 or equalivant and see if you can turn by hand if not hit it with a hammer till its freed up. make sure its in nutral and rear wheels are chocked. spray off ALL penetrant oil with brake cleaner before you put it all back together

this is on my parents honda civic it means something in the engine needs to be fixed or needs new oil.HOPES THIS HELPS!!!!!

Try bleeding the entire brake system and I would recommend using fresh brake fluid. Do the front brakes or rear brakes lock up? Perhaps the front calipers need to be worn in a bit since the car has been sitting for a while or the rear wheel cylinders need to be worn in as well. Parts tend to dry up when not used on a regular basis.

do not use the park brake when it is cold--the linings are freezing to the rotor

There is adjustment nuts for the cables under the cover on the park brake lever, You may be able to adjust them, but more likely the cable to that side is corroded and needs to be replaced.