Tranny problems.....I think

[thomas12]

1996 Exporer All wheel drive. So I was out on my lunch break today just crusing around and I stopped and parked, no problems yet but about 5 minutes earlier I thought I heard somegrinding so I shut the radio off but didn't hear anything. So after I eat lunch I get back in and put the car inreverse and oh boy! it didn't like that. I started to back up and all hell seemed to brake loose. Like a tire fell off or something. I checked all the wheels and tried to back up again, and again tons of grinding and resistance. I put it in drive and could drive forward without much trouble.

Make a long story short I had it towed home and now I am wondering what to start checking before I pull the tranny and bring it into a shop. I was going to get all 4 tires in the air and see if the drive train moves freely. It might be as simple as a broken brake pad or something. At least I hope.

Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

thanks

Thomas

 

[MountaineerGreen]

On first impression- I am thinking it could be the transfer case.

But first, I'd like to know what your drivetrain is- 4.0 or 5.0? Is it control trac or a 5.0 with true AWD.

 

[thomas12]

Ya, I was kinda thinking that too. I am pretty sure it's a 5.0 but I'll check tonight and find out if its control trak or AWD. I'm thinking it's a 5.0 AWD.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Well, if its a 5.0 it is either AWD or 2wd- if its 4.0, could be more variables.

So, it drives fine in forward?

 

[BrooklynBay]

I also think it could be related to the transfer case.

 

[thomas12]

so it is a V8 AWD. Got home last night and backed it very slowly out for the driveway, like barely moving slow and there was no grinding. Drove forward with out any noise ro issues, fast slow didn't matter. Now I'm starting to think it didn't happen. Finally decided to go in reverse with a little speed and as I started accelerating the tires seems to lock up. when I tried to get into drive there was a hesitation and rpm increase before it would engage and go forward. tried to go back into reverse and it wouldn't engage, tried to give it gas and I just got rpm's. no problem in when I put it back in drive.

Now that I think about it, i was on a construction site a few weeks ago and I had to stop on a steep dirt hill. When I tried to start again all i got was rpms, so I quickly put it in low gear and drove up the hill with out a problem.

so does all that seem like the transfer case?? Are those cost effective to rebuild??

 

[Turdle]

Your emergency brakes were adjusting and broke--they adjust when you back up--

take a look at the rear hubs---
You will have to pull them off to see the emergency brake drum and shoes--

 

[thomas12]

I'll check that tonight. I pulled the wheels last night but didn't check the brake shoes. I replaced the rotors a few months back and I thought I replaced the shoes as well but I can't remember now. Everytime I do that kind of work I reget not writing down what exactly I did.

Hopefully it's a blown up brake shoe.

 

[Turdle]

If your emergency brakes are like mine, they rarely get used-

you might check if they even work--try using them while backing--

if it clunks bad, or doesn't work--bingo!!

 

[thomas12]

well definetely not the brakes. So I 'm back to the transfer case or transmission. When I tried to go in reverse last night I put it in gear, didn't get the ususal gentle clunk, stepped on the gas and just got RPM's until around 2000 rpms then jerked back with a lots of resistance. I did tear the brakes down hopping to find a destroyed brake shoe but had not luck.

So is it worth rebuilding the transfer case or should I start hunting for a used one.