HEELP!...Pretty sure reverse band broke

[Germ]

Ive posted on other forums and no one gives me an answer...ANYWAY

I currently drive a 1999 Ford Explorer 4.0L 4x2

the other day i was backing out of a store when i heard a loud pop coming from the drivetrain. I thought i hit something...ran out of the car frantic and i find nothing. Look under the car and nothing at all. I get back in my car and put it in reverse and what happens? the car rolls forward as if it were in neutral.

So i pushed it back to the point where i can drive it home. now here is the thing

1,2,D,N,P work fine. It shifts without hesitation. (today it popped into first,but only once) Goes through the gears with no problem. there is no noise or clunking coming from the tranny. If i put it in reverse it will act as if it were in neutral. but no noise emits...i revved it to about 4k to see if i can get something to hook or to hear something grind. nothing. The only thing i did notice is it takes the RPM's a little bit to come back down...but it only does this in Reverse.Also no engine brake in 1st

I'm sure its the RBs,I have also called a shop and the gentleman informs me it may just be a sensor. but i know for a fact something mechanical broke.

Called 3 other shops to see if i can bring it for a diag. after i explained what happened all 3 said "No need to bring it in,the reverse band broke".

I also asked one of then if the car is ok to drive with that part being broken he tells me yes...But is it really ok to drive without a reverse band?

Im waiting to see what i do which will take me a few weeks...i have a hook up from a reputable shop. Tranny+Labor for $800 flat (Guy owes my father a favor)...soooo any advice would be GREAT! and i also hope i get some posts here from other members...thanks guys!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! It sounds like the rear one way sprag broke.

 

[Germ]

If you don't mind me asking. What exactly is that?

 

[BrooklynBay]

There is a part is the back of the transmission which is designed to turn in one direction only. There is no engine braking, and a problem with low/reverse if it fails. Drop the pan, and check for small cylindrical rollers. If you don't see these parts, then the next step is to remove a square cover with 4 bolts. A servo will come out. Check the tip to see if it's chipped, and insert a long phillips screwdriver into the bore to check the band.

 

[Germ]

IF i drive it like this...will the whole tranny go? or is reverse just going to be lost?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Once there is mechanical damage, it eventually affects other things. If this part is damaged, then you have to remove the transmission, and rebuild it. Drop the pan, and check the things mentioned in post # 4.

 

[Germ]

I've never touched a trans..lol.

You sure its not the Reverse bands?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Nothing is for sure unless it's examined. Either way, if it's the low/reverse band, you will have to remove the transmission, and take it apart.

 

[Germ]

Well out of everything i have read..the pop and no reverse leads to a bad low/reverse band...I have no reverse and no engine braking in manual 1st.

I'm just hoping this car will drive for maybe another month or 2 in this condition so i can save up the money for the new transmission.