Transmission Brake?

[berny13]

Does anyone know if the 4th Generation Explorers have a transmission brake of some sort?

The issue I have is, when I come to a stop and take my foot off the brake, the car does not roll forward – even on a slight hill. When I give it a little gas, it moves forwards and stops. It acts as if the brake pad or hub is “sticking” yet the car coasts fine with no resistance (that I can tell). Every other automatic transmission car I’ve owned, when I release the brake, it will creep forward at idle.

I researched the Internet as best as I could, but cannot find any definitive answers.

Tires spin fine with no rubbing noise or resistance when off the ground.

What else could it be?

Berny

 

[colintrax]

You have brake issues, check for stuck calipers. Grease the pins, and check wheel bearings as well

I should specify, there's no transmission brake.

 

[berny13]

Looks like I'm getting dirty tomorrow. I'll recheck the brakes and calipers and grease the pins. Thanks.

Berny

 

[9EXNY]

There'e a possibility you have trans gear selector in 3,instead of D...3,and 2 are used in slippery conditions...reduces the amount of wheel-spin...I've noticed when i'm in 3 or 2,and take foot off brake,vehicle does not roll forward...on hill,it's almost like hill assist

 

[Flag Gibby]

If you put it in neutral on a slight hill and let off the brakes and it rolls backward/forward then your brakes are not sticking and it is not worth the time rechecking them. Of course, I just realized that you posted two days ago that you were going to check them so it may be too late now. 9EXNY makes a good point; the other possibility is that the idle is set too low for some reason and the vehicle just stays in place instead of slowly rolling forward.

 

[berny13]

Thanks for all the advice. Pins looked good. Took steel wool to them and re-greased them anyway.

Car rolls fine in neutral with no sticking.

I'll check the idle next. I just ordered new plug wires and plugs. I'm also going to schedule a transmission fluid change soon.

Again, thanks for all the advice. Will update when issue is resolved or improved.

 

[edwx]

What about the parking brake if it's adjusted out too tight?

 

[Flag Gibby]

If that was the case, the rear tires would not spin freely and he doesn't indicate that to be happening.

 

[berny13]

What about the parking brake if it's adjusted out too tight?

Wheels spin fine with no drag when the car is off the ground. Good thing to check though if they didn't spin freely.

Thanks.

Berny

 

[berny13]

** Update **

So after months of sacrificing a few weekends and hard earned money, the issue is resolved. Unfortunately it wasn’t a single issue, but a culmination of fixes. What I did:

1. New spark plugs, wires and ignition coil (Hate how Ford routed then behind the alternator). Improved the issue slightly. However, it really improved the responsiveness of the car and eliminated the RPM rising and dropping at cruising speeds. Gas mileage went up 3 mpg too.

2. New brake rotors and pads (and news pins to be double sure). Checked parking brake as well (what a pain that was). Maybe slightly better improvement, but still minor “resistance” when letting off the brake; however, it would roll forward and continue rolling when giving it a little gas.

3. Transmission fluid drain and fill. Really no improvement as far as I could tell. Car does shift smoother though, so no big loss there.

4. Took to a “national garage” for lifetime alignment. They said my ball joints were bad and they couldn’t align it - fair enough. Since they use Dorman parts (big fan of their electrical parts, but not their ball joints) I declined their offer to replace them.

Decided to let a Ford technician blow out their back this time instead of mine and use OEM parts. Dropped it off at Ford and left. No sooner after I left, they called me and said my ball joints were fine. In fact, most of my front suspension had recently been replaced (I’m the second owner and don’t know full service history, so it’s possible). Felt stupid for not checking it out myself (lesson learned, trust no one). Ford did a courtesy alignment check and found the front left tire was way out of alignment. I elected to have Ford do the alignment. Probably the biggest contributor to resolving the issue.

Viola! Good as new with no “resistance” when letting of the brake. Honestly feels like a new car.

Thanks for all excellent the advice!

Berny

 

[thebrakeman]

Did it mess up your tire tread wear?

 

[berny13]

Tire was showing signs of inside wear. Tires are new with about 9,000 miles on them, so it took a while to show wear.