Today I am supposed to leave on a several hundred mile car trip.
Yesterday evening my 2007 Suburban started becoming very difficult to move at slow speeds, after the wheel had been turned. It felt almost as though as though the parking brake had been engaged, but that hasn’t been used in over a year. Just to be sure, we pumped it on and off.
I’m not sure I’m describing this well, so here is a sample scenario:
[ul]
[li]Car is moving fine in a straight line backing out of a driveway[/li][li]I turn the wheel to back into the street[/li][li]Car becomes very difficult to move and requires a lot more acceleration[/li][li]After the turn is completed and the wheel is straightened, the car returns to normal[/li][/ul]
The problem persists at slow speeds. I feel it leaving a stop sign if I am turning, for example, or pulling into a parking spot. The car is fine driving at street speeds. I haven’t attempted anything over 40 mph.
My questions are:
What is causing this? Quick Googling suggests it might be the parking brake cable stuck, despite the fact I haven’t used it in months or years. (I just had it serviced, maybe the mechanics did?)
Is there an easy fix?
Is it safe to drive?
Will I cause damage by driving it?
Thanks in advance all. A family vacation is on the line.
Is it in 4WD? Have you tried going in and then out of 4WD?
Your description sounds like what my Jeep feels like when making tight turns in 4WD.
I’ll check that. We usually leave it in 2WD unless conditions warrant 4WD, but, again, mechanics. I’ll report back shortly.
I also wanted to publicly say thank you for helping me out. I appreciate it, particularly since my Pit thread has reached epic proportions.
A sincere thank you.
That was it. It’s wasn’t even 4-up, it was 4-down. I don’t know whether it was the mechanics or my husband who borrowed the car last night. (sigh)
I had a big breakdown last week, so I went straight to the biggest problem.
I’ll let the mods know to close the thread.
Thank you!!!
Personally I wouldn’t take a 10 year old vehicle with a problem moving on a several hundred mile trip. I highly recommend getting a rental.
(Yes, I do feel like an idiot, FTR.) :o 
Yay!!!
I am not a mechanic, but I’ve experienced exactly what you described in the OP.
You’re welcome! We are good. I said something stupid, you pointed it out nicely, and gave me the chance to apologize. 
I thought Subaru was full-time AWD. Learn something new every day around here… like it or not.
No, you didn’t learn anything (surprise!).
It was a Suburban, not a Subaru.
I certainly didn’t learn no readin’!
Thank You, Bob. I don’t feel so bad now.
Besides, I know Sunny drives a BMW, so Subaru as a second just seemed so natural.
The Suburban is for the dogs and kids! 
AWD is not the same as 4WD, it simply means any one of the four wheels might be getting power.