99 XLT tranny, reverse

[mnbadger]

Hi. when backing up an incline, my 99 XLT, 4.0 automatic, w/4 wheel ABS loses power, and feels like the emergency brake is on. (which I did check!) Shifts/drives normally in forward gears and only does this on an incline in reverse. I was backing my boat up the driveway and could hardly push it up. Burning smell like rubber too, like the brakes were on and the tires were spinning. No other problems at all other than this. No power it seems, like the engine is cutting out intermittently, but only on an incline in reverse. Any ideas because I've never experienced this one before? Thanks for the assistance! Mark

 

[Opera House]

Maybe the E brake is on!!!!

The E brake drum shoes have a tendency to delaminate and the pieces just foat around inside the drum. Even if you never use the E brake. These pieces could be jamming only in reverse. With you dunking the rear in the water, this could be likely. Drive around avoiding any extra braking. Then check the temp of both back wheels. See if one is hotter. The transmision also has a history of blowing out the low/reverse servo gasket. My bet is the brakes.

 

[mnbadger]

Thanks Opera House. This one has 4 wheel discs, no drums, so my bet is that it's the reverse servo. Although why it would do this on only an incline is beyond me.

 

[TPLYNCH]

You do have drums with your Disc Brakes. The emergency brakes are mini drum brakes built into the rear discs. Search for Emergency Brakes and you'll find alot more info. Also, have you checked your tranny fluid level??? Make sure it's full.

 

[Opera House]

Put the transmission in manual low

And point the car down a hill in idle. This will test engine braking of the low/reverse servo. If the speed creeps up but the tach stays at idle chances are it is a blown valve body gasket. There are a few threads and pictures here about the problem in the 5R55E. Not to be confused with the reverse O ring problem of the earlier A4LD.

There is a 99% chance you will destroy the E brake shoes if you try to remove the drum for inspection, so consider that. Good news is you can drive around with them removed so at least you won't get stuck. Usually they make some noise.

 

[JasonF]

Are you sure the trailer doesn't have surge braking!!! Those systems DONT back up hills too well.

 

[Glacier991]

Ya know I just gotta say it... the expertise on this site is awesome. There are many similar sites, but this one has em all beat. OperaHouse on trannies and also other things, TPLYNCH on a variety of things, 410Fortune, RhettBrowning....Many others who I am already ofedning by not including.... I could go on, but there is a wealth of knowledge freely shared here (sometimes over and over on the same thing(sigh))... Great going guys.

Happy Exploring

Chris

 

[Jason_25]

Got that right Glacier.

I've been registered here for a while and I'm still learning from all the knowledeable folks here.

 

[Opera House]

I forgot about those trailer brakes

My1955 inboard is only 14' 5" and the trailer doesn't have any brakes. Not sure if the trailer is still actually leagal or not. I have yet to experience the fun of surge brakes though now I remember that happening to others in reverse. Everyone else I know has lots of trouble with brakes on trailers because most of the time they just sit and rust. We should all learn to read posts with comprehension.

 

[mnbadger]

To everyone, so far, especially Opera House for your patience, thank you for the comments about the E brake, that's exactly what it feels like. I had no idea the e brake was set up like this, and that could very well be the issue. I didn't feel it was the tranny in particular since everything else seemed to be ok. It does this on the flat too, without the trailer so I'm pretty sure you've hit the nail on the head. Just never heard of this situation before!! Thanks, and I will have that checked first. Mark