1987 5speed 2.0L. The truck will move in reverse just fine. If I try and use one of the forward gears, the rear of the truck will just torque-up like I am brake-torquing an automatic. When the truck is in neutral it can only be pushed backwards, not forwards...

Any thoughts?

Thanks
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87 Ford Ranger 2.0L 2WD
98 Trans Am - 316RWHP 327RWTorque

 

This happened on my '83 2.0, check the rear brake shoes, some dummy put the shoes on with both primary on one side and both secondary on the other side. Hey, it was down around 20 deg. with snow fallin' and was in a hurry to get back inside! It was not that hard to do! But really, this did the same thing as yours is doing now, only go in reverse, when tryin' to go forward, would lock one rear, this did not show itself right after the "brake job", but rather waited until the adjuster had done it's thing. Have to look close, the shoes are all but the same size-lucky I didn't get around to returning the old set and used them to check the installed pieces. Hope this helps get you goin' in forward!

 

I dont think anything has been done to the truck in the way of brakes recently though...:-( I just bought it, and when I test drove it I backed up a few times and nothing ever locked up...However, since I had the parking brake on for a long time, maybe that provoked the brakes...Ill definitely check that before I pull the transmission...
What should I look for when checking the brakes, Ive never dealt with drum brakes before, Ive done alot of disk brakes though...
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87 Ford Ranger 2.0L 2WD
98 Trans Am - 316RWHP 327RWTorque

 

Well, since the brakes haven't been done recently, I would look at the parking brake cable, however, if it is this, I think it would be "stuck" in both directions?(When my cable stuck were it goes thru the floor, it would only go backwards-barely!) When you try to remove the drum, you will have to back off the adjuster. There is(or should be) a rubber oval plug near the bottom on the back. There is a lever and "star" shaped thing-this is the adjuster, you will need to lift the lever up with a small screwdriver and rotate the "star" with another screwdriver to back the shoes away from the drum so it can be removed(one way will expand the adjuster and the other will collapse it). Sorry, can't remember which way-up or down, but, I think in the up direction as you are looking at it from the inside were you removed the plug. Once you get the drum off, there should be two slightly different size shoes, the primary will be the larger and a secondary which will be just a little bit shorter lining wise(metal backing is close to the same size on my '83). I think the primary is on the side towards the front(left or right side). Maybe your best bet is to get a manual(chilton or Haynes) and just compare the pictures in the book to what you have just to make sure nothing was installed incorrectly. Drums are a pain compared to disc, alot of "extra things" like springs, little cable, little springs with twist lock "caps" to keep the shoes in place, adjuster and linkage ect. ect., make sure all these things are in place were they should be. Not really sure I could explain all these things in a way that would make sense without pics. Hope this helps a little bit more!
PS-If it is just one side causing the problem, you should be able to look at the "good" side to reference-just remember that it will be "reversed" from one side to the other!

 

Thanks Chuck, I appreciate the help. Did you happen to hear anything right before the brakes got bound up? When I started backing up, I heard a lound metallic "ting". Ill definitely pull those drum brakes apart this weekend. Ive got a repair manual on the way too. Thanks again.

Jared

 

No, no noise before it happened that I know of. From what you discribed, it sounds like something left loose inside there, hopefully, if it did, it didn't get "wedged" between the drum and shoe!! Hope it's a simple fix and no damage done. If needed, most auto parts places have what they call hardware kits, these will have the "keepers" and other parts that be in there-don't cost to much, I think I payed 6 or 8 bucks for each kit, but, these had the cables and new main springs included-some kits do and some don't. Good luck this weekend, hope it's an easy fix! Sorry it took a little while to get back to you-don't get the chance to get here as often as I would like!

 

Thanks Chuck, Ill let you know how it goes. I was looking though the repair manuals that came last night. They recommend a special tool to release some of the springs. I figure Ill just try and do it with a screw driver or something. If that doesnt work, Ill be at the dealership buying that tool!
Thnaks again

Jared


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87 Ford Ranger 2.0L 2WD
98 Trans Am - 316RWHP 327RWTorque

 

I've had similar issues on a couple rigs with drum brakes. Each time it was a severe case of brain fog. I'd forgot to release the parking brake. The truck would go just fine in reverse, but not forward. That has to do with the way the brake shoes fit and work. Not unusual with drum brakes. You may just have a stuck parking brake cable, or something got gummed up or rusted and didn't release. Good luck!

Dave T.

 

 

Yeah, the drivers side drum brake was definitely locked up. I tore both of the brakes down, had the drums turned, and I have new shoes and spring kits to go around (total cost around $35). They guys at NAPA said that the E-brake line was probably messed up. I check the linkage, and everything seemed to be working ok, just not sure how the line could be screwed up. Im going to give it a good check before I put everything back together...

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87 Ford Ranger 2.0L 2WD
98 Trans Am - 316RWHP 327RWTorque