The 97 models are not disc brakes, so there is no solenoid? The lever you are engaging is to prevent the coupler from actuating the brakes. The Drum Brakes have one large and one small shoe, with a one sided actuator. It sounds like someone has the shoes on after a rebuild in reverse? If this were a newer one we would suspect we built the axle backwards, though we think we would have heard of this already on a 97. Have you rebuilt the brakes recently or had them done? The only instance of this has been from the brakes being reversed. Other issues would be a locking Master Cylinder. Which is not releasing inside the front coupler. You can look under the coupler to check the travel there. Above all else, your brakes are probably not nworking either. If they are on in reverse, then they actuate the large shoe when backing up. Which means they are only dragging slightly moving forwards and braking. Take a look at this and let us know if you have more questions. Attwood Mobile had a PDF on site of the Master Cylinder and Coupler. Not sure if it is still there or not? BCB
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