A wheel makes one in turning backwards (3)
I believe the answer is:
rut
'a wheel' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I can't see?
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rut that I've seen before include "Road depression, difficult to get out of" , "Groove made by wheel" , "Furrow made by wheels" , "Deep track or bad habit" , "Heat" .)