Reverse snapping

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Jfmarkham
Posts: 35
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2019 3:15 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Markham
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 pie wagon
Location: New york

Reverse snapping

Post by Jfmarkham » Thu Mar 19, 2026 7:56 pm

My 1923 has started to occasionally make a snapping sound when its under a heavy load,it does it when backing up a incline or on soft ground. The noise is coming from transmission not rear end,any ideas where to start? Both forward gears work fine


Daisy Mae
Posts: 540
Joined: Mon May 06, 2024 9:32 pm
First Name: Kurt
Last Name: Andersson
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1914 Touring
Location: Panama City Beach, FL
Board Member Since: 2024

Re: Reverse snapping

Post by Daisy Mae » Thu Mar 19, 2026 8:09 pm

One possibility, rear end problems can 'transmit' the sound to the tranny.

Mine had the same issue, banging in reverse, but not forward, (backing out of my shop rolls into sand), sounding like it was thumping under my feet.

In my case the driveshaft roller bearing (among other things) was shot causing the pinion to pop out of mesh with the ring in reverse. It acted fine going forward.
Call me anything you want...just so long as it isn't "late for dinner"


Scott_Conger
Posts: 6824
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:18 am
First Name: Scott
Last Name: Conger
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919
Location: not near anywhere, WY
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Reverse snapping

Post by Scott_Conger » Thu Mar 19, 2026 8:14 pm

Kurt is right

nearly certain it's either pinion roller bearing failure or differential thrust washer failure

stop driving the car NOW. The ring/pinion are undoubtedly being damaged and the longer it's driven the worse the damage will get (including loss of brakes and further related damage).
Scott Conger

Tyranny under the guise of law is still Tyranny

NH Full Flow Float Valves™
Obsolete carburetor parts manufactured

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