# 1993 Ford Ranger Transmission Issues **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ford, ranger\ **Created:** [November 4, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124 "2017-11-04T01:30:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bryceb777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bryceb777](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bryceb777)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/1 "2017-11-04T01:30:27Z")
I have a 1993 ford ranger sport with manual transmission. It is a very old truck with 300k kms on it but I would like to keep it on the road if possible. Recently the truck has been acting up it feels as if the brake is engaged when trying to move forward after a dead start. I need to Rev very high before the truck lurches forwards and wobbles once up to speed it seems fine. Also this isn’t an issue in reverse. Not sure if it has anything to do with this but it started happening right after temperatures dropped below freezing and we got some snow. Checked transmission fluid it is full but looking brown/dark. Thinking this is a transmission issue hoping it’s something easier like brake lockING or a bearing or something. Any help would be great thanks ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/2 "2017-11-04T01:52:01Z")
> [@Bryceb777](#): > > hoping it’s something easier like brake lockING Put the truck in neutral and push it…easy or not? ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 2:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/3 "2017-11-04T02:08:43Z")
Could it be a simple as the parking brake freezing ? Don’t set the parking brake at night and see if the vehicle moves in the morning , remember to park in gear. ---
**Author:** ![Bryceb777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bryceb777](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bryceb777)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 2:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/4 "2017-11-04T02:30:47Z")
Don’t think it’s the parking brake as I always park in gear and rarely use it. Going to rotate my tires tm will try rolling it in neutral. Also going to check out the brakes I should have more info then! ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 6:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/5 "2017-11-04T06:59:34Z")
Ifg you are going to rotate your tires, try spinning each wheel. ---
**Author:** ![Bryceb777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bryceb777](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bryceb777)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/6 "2017-11-05T00:42:49Z")
So a couple of updates went to move the truck today to get it up on stands and couldn’t get it to budge. Popped it in neutral it rolls fine backwards but won’t roll forwards. Noticed it is only th rear passenger wheel thats seized as the drivers side rear wheel rotates freely. Any ideas ? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 12:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/7 "2017-11-05T00:53:28Z")
My thought is damaged brakes on that wheel. ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 1:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/8 "2017-11-05T01:31:01Z")
Hanging parking brake cable? ---
**Author:** ![Bryceb777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bryceb777](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bryceb777)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/9 "2017-11-05T01:53:12Z")
Thinking it is definitely a brake issue with that wheel however I don’t understand why the tire would roll backwards dine if the brakes are locked?? ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/10 "2017-11-05T02:12:39Z")
That is the typical reaction when the parking brake cable is stuck or out of adjustment. When moving forward the brake shoes shift away from the brake cable mounting point on the backing plate tightening the parking brake. When moving backwards the brake shoes shift toward the cable mounting point loosening the parking brake. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 3:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/11 "2017-11-06T03:04:08Z")
Self servo drum brakes do have a significant forward bias on application of the parking brake. It would seem worthwhile to remove the drums and inspect the return springs, cables, etc and the proper placement of the primary and secondary shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Bryceb777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bryceb777](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bryceb777)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2017, 3:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/12 "2017-11-06T03:18:50Z")
Figured it out it was indeed a frozen parking brake warmed it up loosened the cable and tapped the drum with a mallet. Tire rolls freely now thanks for the help everyone 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1993-ford-ranger-transmission-issues/109124/13 "2017-11-07T03:57:43Z")
Glad you got it figured out OP. Good for you. The parking brake cable on my own Ford truck rusted up a couple of years ago too. In that case it was the part of the cable inside the passenger compartment, not at the wheels. Liberal application of wd-40 followed later by cleaning away the rust & light machine oil fixed it up straight away.