No reverse on the Laredo...

[Laredo81]

Hi again,

I have a '81 AMC Laredo in Hungary, Budapest.

I bought this truck two months ago. This truck "relaxed" around one year in a garage before it. Anyway. I drove it around 2-4miles only. I checked the engine, I changed the oil in the transmission and we began the bodyworks. Last time I felt some kind of braking power in reverse and I had to push the gas more than in D. Yesterday I tried to go out from the garage and I couldn't! The D,1,2 work well but no reverse. I checked the oil level and it was low a little bit. I filled up it again but nothing changed.
The ground slopes in the garage a little bit. I started the engine and I take a reverse. The truck began to go slowly (on idle) but when I pushed the gas it stopped itself.
Of course at this weekend I will check the brakes and everything. But I wonder what is your opinion about it. Please send your advices to me.

Thank you in advance!

C.lard

photos: http://photos.yahoo.com/vdabard

[andy d]

this is a wild guess. remove the rear brake drums and see if one of the brake linings has come unbonded from a shoe. brake shoes dont take sitting well. check everything. there are lots of little pieces in there. also check that the emergency brake cables are free.good luck!

[Laredo81]

Can the transmission be damaged if the rear brakes stop the truck in reverse? :confused:Can somebody send me a diagram about the transmission (TFT 727)? I want to know how it works exactly...

C.lard
'81Laredo http://photos.yahoo.com/vdabard

[andy d]

no, but i was hoping that something was broken and jamming,the brakes. that was my wild guess. transmissions are complicated and epensive to repair compared to brake work

[Langdon]

Ditto...I'd say check the rear brakes. Even if it is not the problem, you'll feel better.

By the way, welcome to the forum. I admire your (and the other foreign FSJers)courage to take on a Jeep where parts must be scarce. You will find MUCH information here...

[ August 14, 2001: Message edited by: Langdon ]

[UnkleMunky]

I can add a couple other thoughts, but the way it's sounding, this might not be your problem. Sounds like checking the brakes, etc. will be worth the effort and hopefully you'll find the problem. However...here's a couple more thoughts.

1) Adjusting bands might not hurt. This is done by removing the tranny pan and accessing the bands. You'll need specs on this to do it right, but it can make a difference.

2) Changing fluid and filter in tranny might not hurt. Do this with the bands. In fact, just do a filter/fluid change, and "check" the band settings. If the bands need adjusting, do so...if not, they're ok. But, as for the fluid, I'm not as sure about the early 80s TF727s, but later Chryslers used a special Chryco fluid, and didn't like the Dexron stuff. EVEN THOUGH it says in the manual and on the dipstick you can use it. You need Type 7176, or ATF+3 if it needs the special fluid. I've heard that this was one of the main reasons Chrysler had so many tranny problems in late 80s/90s. They "really" required the special fluid, but on both the dipstick AND in the manuals it said you could use Dexron/Mercon if need be. That was the fault....that they ever said you could use that in many of their later trannies. I have an '89 Reliant with an A413 tranny and this requires the special juice. It had NOT had it before, so the tranny will eventually go on me. I also bought the car with NO reverse in it.....would just "idle" in reverse like it was in neutral. I changed the filter/fluid and adjusted bands and now I have reverse! smile.gif I did a FULL flush of the fluid(highly recommended) and mostly the tranny does all right, but I gather it won't last forever. I'll plop in a used tranny when that time comes, but so far....1800 miles since I got 'er going, and no major complaints!

Anyway....as I said, I'm not 100% sure on the fluid for the TF727s, but it might not hurt to check and make sure it's the right juice in there and the filter and bands are good! BTW....special ATF+3 juice was only $2 at a local parts store, where regular Dexron wasn't much less, so it wasn't a whole lot more for making sure it had the right fluid!

OK....just wanted to add those thoughts for the tranny part if the brake stuff doesn't turn up anything. That's the "easy" part of the tranny you can tend to! smile.gif

EDIT: here's a link to Allpar's information on trannies if anyone cares to read....VERY interesting: http://www.allpar.com/fix/trans.html

I should have a diagram or two of the TF727 somewhere, but would have to dig it up. If you want a copy, drop me an email direct(link in signature), and I'll scan a copy and send ya!

PS...am working on rear brakes on an '88 Dodge B350 van right now, so am dealing with brake junk myself.....I can attest to the part about brakes not liking to "sit" for long periods of time....those things were crusty! Yuk!

Well..take care....

[ August 14, 2001: Message edited by: UnkleMunky ]