2006 Tacoma Won't Go Forwards or Backwards

I have a 2006 Tacoma 4x4, manual 5 speed transmission, both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive. It won't drive forwards or backwards. When I try to go into 1st gear, it feels like something is blocked. When I go into reverse, I get the same feeling. I lifted the back of the truck up to see what wheels move or not. When I put it into 1st gear, the right-rear wheel move freely, while the left-rear didn't budge. Reverse gear produces the same result. I suspect the differential might be broken. It is definitely not the brakes, since the left-rear wheel would not move at all, however, I can move it back and forth a tiny bit, it seems like something is locked up. I would appreciate any help.

 

You might have some broken brake components in the rear driver's side drum. I'd pull the rear drums and have a look. I've heard of retainer clips breaking and causing some binding in the braking system.
If it is that, you may have a hard time getting that drum off.

 

Remove the drive shaft and see if the transmission output shaft turns while in gear and engine running. If it does great we are now looking at the rear end. Jack up the rear end with the drive shaft removed and see if the wheel is still locked up on the drivers side. If it is then remove the drum to inspect the brake components. If they are good then you are certainly going to need some differential work.

 

Yes, try this.

Be sure the Rear Wheels are chocked.
Because once you drop the drive shaft the wheels will be free to turn.
Yes, you could use the E-Brake to achieve the same results.
But I don’t like relying on it alone.

Having the truck roll over you is bad. Real bad.

 

That made me laugh.

 

I call BS, I tried it and it didn't do anything bad to the truck.

 

And that made me laugh.

 

That's weird because my wife wasn't laughing when the truck rolled over her, but whatever the truck is driving great...

 

WTF, LMAO.....
Even better.

 

I think you mean "chock the front wheels" since the rears will be off the ground.

 

You can pull the drive shaft out while all the wheels are on the ground.
The output shaft on the Trans will turn either way.
But Yes, you might as well have it jack stands. That way you can pull the rear diff apart.
That is, if the output shaft turns.

I was trying to be serious and funny in my first post.
People have been killed pulling a driveshaft.
It’s the reason I know what can happen.

 

Agreed. I'd put the whole truck up on jack stands too. Having a truck land on you isn't fun. Had that happen to a friend of mine. Not only did it fall off the jack on him, it then rolled down the gravel driveway with him caught under it. Fortunately, he got away with just a really nasty case of road rash and some bruised ribs.

 

Hey How about some updates! We would love to hear from you.

 

Having the rear parking brake get stuck is very common. I would check that before doing anything else.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brakes-stuck-after-washing-the-truck.120322/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/emergency-brake-sticking.370955/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/parking-emergency-brake-seized-stuck.470756/

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Likely your parking brake. I’ve had big issues with getting stuck from using my, to the point where I applied it, starting driving (with a camper in tow) and one wheel locked up bringing me to a screeching halt. What seems to fix mine is to pump the brakes really hard and it feels as if it “lets go” I just never use it anymore in case it locks up somewhere dangerous.