1994 XL 4 CYL 2WD Transmission issues

[frogmessiah]

Hello everyone, first post.
I have been scouring the internet for days trying to figure out what is wrong with my ranger.

it all started with my clutch bearing going out. I removed the transmission, replaced the bearing, and installed the transmission back into the truck. I have been bleeding the slave for the last couple hours and the symptoms have not gone away.

when I put the truck into reverse, and let off the clutch it rolls backwards like normal. But when I re engage the clutch, the wheels lock up, and release. If I’m on a slight hill, it will intermittently lock and release while I keep the clutch pressed to the floor.

I’m not sure if this is something that I need to keep bleeding the slave for, or if it’s something else. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Shran]

Which bearing did you replace? Throwout bearing (part of the slave cylinder) or the pilot bearing (in the crankshaft?)

Does it only do this in reverse? If so I would be leaning towards something broken in your rear brakes... they will do weird stuff if you've got a spring broken or something like that.

 

[frogmessiah]

I replaced the throw out bearing. And yeah it only does this in reverse. And it didn’t do this before I pulled the transmission, that’s why I was leaning towards something being wrong there. What could be wrong with the brakes?

 

[Shran]

Gotcha. Just was curious, usually that's a good time to replace the pilot bearing - if they go bad they can sort of jam the crankshaft/input shaft together and cause problems shifting because those two pieces don't spin independently of each other like they should when the clutch pedal is pushed in.

Symptoms of a bad slave cylinder or air in the system usually present themselves as difficulty shifting into 1st or reverse at a dead stop. So for example if you pull up to a stop sign, push the clutch in, shift into neutral, let the clutch out, push the clutch back in, and try to get it into 1st or reverse, it should go into gear smoothly. If it grinds or you have to force it, that usually means the clutch is not completely disengaged.

Sometimes if you have a broken pin or spring in the rear brakes, one or both shoes will basically float and not touch anything going forward but going backwards they will move just enough to contact the drum. I don't really understand the physics of why that happens but it does. I have had the parking brake stick too and it'll prevent forward movement but if you back up fast and slam on the brakes it'll release... or the other way around. Might not hurt to pull the drums, inspect everything and give anything that moves a light coat of brake grease.

Not saying it's a brake problem with any certainty but not having problems in forward gears makes me think that it might be and the timing is just a coincidence.

 

[frogmessiah]

Alright I am back with more information. I have taken the truck out for a drive, when before I had only been up and down the driveway.
When I am in gear and driving forward, there is a loud grinding sound that gets faster with more rpm. Truck didn’t want to shift into second while moving. Reverse works perfectly fine until I push the clutch.
Does this change anything?