1989 Ford Bronco No Reverse

1989 FORD BRONCO
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CBEST2304
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  • 2 POSTS
1st question my bronco will not move in reverse. It will go in gear and it tries to move but won't. you can put it in neutral and it still will not move. Put in drive and it will go forward. Is is the rear end or the transmission?

2nd question it will not go into 4 low. I changed the transfer case motor and I have checked the switch. It doesn't even try to go in. Every now and then when I put it in 4 high, it won't come out for a day or so and then it will go out and go back to working fine . Does that sound like a speed sensor problem?
Jan 23, 2006 at 9:53 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
This would not be an issue in the rear end if the vehicle will move forward. Also, it is most likely not a transmission issue, but this is where we should start.

First, we need to check for codes. Here is a guide that will help with checking. I doubt you will have any, but we need to check.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Next, we need to put the vehicle on jack stands and see if there is any movement in the tires like there is any slack from the gear train before they stop moving, or if they are locked from the brakes holding.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

The way to find this out is to break the wheel cylinders bleeder loose and see if the brakes release. If they don't try removing the tire and hitting the drum with a hammer to see if the shoes will break loose.

Clearly if the vehicle will move forward, the shoes are not seized but I suspect the trailing shoe is stuck in a position where it will touch the drum. However, it is unlikely that this is both wheels so I suspect you will find one that will spin and one that will not when you jack it up.

Please see the info below and let us know what other questions you have.

Thanks
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Nov 3, 2021 at 1:02 PM
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Suggested Repair

Check for diagnostic codes, then safely support the vehicle and inspect the rear wheels for brake lock versus gear-train slack. Open a wheel-cylinder bleeder to see if the brakes release; if not, remove the tire and tap the drum to free the shoes. The expert suspects one trailing brake shoe is stuck against the drum rather than a rear-end or transmission failure, since the vehicle still moves forward.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1989 Bronco said it will not move in reverse or neutral but still drives forward, and asked whether the rear end or transmission was at fault. They also reported that 4-low will not engage after replacing the transfer-case motor and checking the switch, and that 4-high sometimes stays engaged for about a day. The expert said forward movement rules out the rear end and makes a transmission fault less likely as the first concern. They recommended checking codes, then jacking the vehicle to test for brake lock, releasing a bleeder, and tapping a drum if needed, suspecting one stuck trailing brake shoe. The 4WD concern was not addressed.

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