I am buying a 1996 Ford f-450 manual transmission and when we drove it we parked, put the parking brake on and when we took the brake off, we could not go forward, only reverse. We could hear a clicking noise from the drum brake that is between the transmission and the driveshaft. Don't know what the name for that part is, but we disconnected the driveshaft and took it off. We thought it might have just broken a return spring keeping the shoe applied to the drum. It does not spin freely by hand and noticed a vent hole and plug at the top so opened the plug and it was bone dry so guessing the bearings are fried in this unit. Can this be repaired or would one have to buy the whole unit which is probably at least $500 the way parts are these days.

We might try a wrecking yard but unless this was used on later models also pretty slim chance of finding one. If we do get it repaired, would one fill the oil reservoir with the same oil used in the differential? We drained the transmission oil while doing this and it calls for synthetic oil .

Would a transmission shop or a brake shop be the place to go with this part and what is the name of this part other than parking brake drum? Thanks

 

Its the transmission mounted parking brake assembly..

On the fill plug checks, even though no fluid ran out, take a wire or even a Q tip and use it like a dipstick probing down below the fill plug opening. The level may be just below the hole with no run out..
The unit can be rebuilt (bearing/seals) or available reman..
The unit fill is with Fords/Motorcraft Mercon (now Mercon V) Automatic Transmission Fluid or its equivalent if another brand. Just asking for Mercon V will get you the correct lube.
To help with confusion when order parts, F450 'Super Duty' singles out the 450 from its lighter build of F's...

 

Hayapower: Thanks for the reply. When we took the parking brake assembly off, we turned it upside down so the fill plug was at the bottom and nothing came out.

 

Got it...

Thought by disconnecting the drive shaft and removed it,, you meant the shaft alone.
If you want the R&R instruction for the unit let me know..