Hi vgbear,
I would suggest checking the brakes first. Seems the pads have worn out causing the brake failure. The pads could have worn too much that the metal part has dislodged itself from its seat and that had cause the brake to bind and the lack of reversing power.
When reversing, did the engine roar without the vehicle moving or the rpm did not want to go up as well?
Axle would not emit any whooshing noise. It would sound like crocking noise.
Bad axle would not mess up the trans, hope it is not the trans that has failed.
Replacing the brake pads would not be too difficult.
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Thursday, October 21st, 2010 AT 1:04 PM