1996 Ford Explorer Sudden stop when backing up

EXPLORER1

MEMBER
1996 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
103,000 MILES

My Explorer drives fine when going forward, but when I put it in reverse, it will drive a couple yards and then come to a jerking stop, as if I had pulled the parking brake (without me having done anything). If I hit the gas, it won't move. If I go forward first, I'm then able to go in reverse for a yard or so again before it comes to a jerking halt again.

Any ideas what this could be and how much a repair might cost?

5 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Any associated noises? Clanking or grinding?

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Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 6:56 PM

EXPLORER1

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Not really - it just comes to a dead halt, as if I had slammed on the breaks. This started after a mountain trip, and the first time it happened is when I quickly switched into reverse while driving into and then backing up from a dirt-filled, inclined driveway.

I read about a forum user with a similar issue, but going forwards. Maybe something with the spider gears coming lose in the differential?

Come to think of it, when I drive forwards there's a slight cyclical sound (swish swish) but I think that's been there for a while and is unrelated.