jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

What would cause/allow my rear wheels to spin (be turned) why the transmission is in park and the car is off. The driveshaft does not turn but the wheels are still able to be turned. Could the axle locks be broken?

I verified that the transmission is actually in park and the rear-end has the appropriate fluid level.

Anybody, have any ideas?

My rear is out of 2000 Trans Am zexel torsen unit 3.42 gears.

Thanks,
Jay

j dezzy

iTrader: (12)

My 87 TA does the same thing, always has. I've been driving it for 2 years or so now. I always thought it was odd but I just never questioned it.

jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

Mine use to lock. I'm not sure when it stopped but I just noticed it not too long ago.

TKOPerformance

You've simply got an open diff. This is normal. You are spinning the axel inside the carrier. The axel with the least traction is locked in place, while the axel with the most traction can spin the spider gears while the other axel stays stationary. A posi wouldn't let you do this, becasue the axels are coupled and you can't spin the carrier since it is locked in place by the pinion being connected to the driveshaft which is connected to the trans which is locked in park.

jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

Both wheels are spinning not just one. The way you explained it only one wheel should be moving and the other should be stationary. Furthermore, everytime I put the car in reverse or stop at a light I hear a thud. Seems to be coming from the rear. My trans mount is brand new and so are my motor mounts. My torque arm and all other rear suspension parts are tight. Any ideas???

Jay

TKOPerformance

Broken spider gears would be my guess. I had a similar condition in a truck of mine years ago (not the turning part, but the thudding part) and that's waht it turned out to be. I'd fix them before they fail catastrophically. It can all be done by popping the diff cover, removing the c-clips, remove the cross pin bolt and pin, and then just spin the gears inside the carrier until you can remove them. Replace as needed. It's common on high milage rears.

jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for the info... Do you have any pics of what I would be looking for?

Thanks,
Jay

big gear head

TKO, he said that he has a Zexel Torsen unit, which won't have the axle and pinion gears in it. If it was working at one time but now it doesn't then it might be worn out or some part might be broke. I haven't been inside one of these so I can't help much, but it won't be a broke spider gear.

As for the thud when you go from drive to reverse that could be bad u joints or a loose pinion. Check the pinion yoke and see if you can move it up and down or in and out. If it moves in any direction other than rotation then you have a problem. Most of the time when you have a problem like this the pinion seal will also leak. It also could be something broke inside the differential, but I'm not sure what it would be.

jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

Gear Head,

I do see signs of the pinion seal leaking. I will check the yoke to see if it moves in any direction besides that of rotation later. Thanks for the info!


Jay

TKOPerformance

Yeah, I guess I missed that part. Can't say I'm sure how a Zexel works either. I'd check the u-joints for the thund sound, that's a likely culprit too.

I believe that the Zexel uses worm style gears like a Detroit Truetrac. It's basically a gear driven limited slip if I'm not mistaken.

big gear head

Yes, it is similar to the Truetrac.

TKOPerformance

Maybe this is normal for them. Does anyone who has one of these diffs know?

regal301

when a car is in park it should not roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!if it rolls and the drive shaft dosent turn,the rear is junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


if the axel was broken the tire would walk out ,do you drive this car??????
if you do i hope you have good insurance...............................

TKOPerformance

If the car has rear disc brakes the axel won't walk out.

Another possibility is that there is something wrong with the park pawl in the trans.

big gear head

I would say that Jay has the wheels turning in opposite directions, which is normal for any limited slip differential when it slips, except a Detroit Locker.

regal301

the zexel feels like a open rear if you lift the car up.when torque is applied its a different story.he said his drive shaft dosent turn so i wouldent be the pawl.but does he mean the wheels turn when its in park in the air or on the ground??if its in the air its normal,on the ground then somthin is wrong.

jagevileye21

iTrader: (3)

The car does not move in park when it is on the ground. However, with the wheels in the air (in park) both wheels move but the driveshaft does not turn. When I first installed the rear the wheels would lock when in the air.

Thanks guys!