I took my car to a buddy's shop so I could put it on the lift just to check and see if I could find the source of a couple annoying noises. Anyway, while it was up there I checked the rear wheels for worn bearings, etc. When I turned one of the rear wheels, I was surprised to see that the other wheel didn't move at all. I don't have LSD, but have always thought if you turn one wheel the other wheel will turn in the opposite direction. My car didn't do that, no matter which wheel I turned, the other didn't move. I then reached up and turned the drive shaft (propeller shaft) and both wheels turned in the same direction. So, is this normal?

I should mention that the car was in an accident prior to my owning it and it apparently was hit at the rear of the passenger door. I would guess from where it has been (poorly) bondoed, that it was also hit on the rear passenger wheel. When I'm on the freeway in 5th gear @ 65-80 mph there is an annoying noise from the rear of the car. I suspect its a wheel bearing or axle bearing or maybe something bent due to the accident. BTW its an 88 n/a, all stock.

Any ideas?

 

So nobody can tell me if its normal to turn one wheel and the other not turn at all when the wheels are off the ground?

 

I am nearly clueless on differentials, but to me sounds fine. Sounds like it is an lsd, sounds like when you turn one, it is unlocked as if cornering and when you turn the driveshaft it is not getting all pressure on one tire, so it is like it is in a straight line so it is locking. But I dont know.

 

Just put a gear in, lift one wheel in the air and try to turn it.
If it turns (with resistance) there is a clutch that slips in this moment -> LSD
If you dont have a LSD the other wheel tries to turn in the opposite direction,
but will be blocked if its on the ground.

Also try with both wheels in air.
if no LSD , other wheel now turns in opposite direction ( still with gear in )

-Patrick

 

*Delete

 

I had the car on a lift (both wheels off the ground) and turned one wheel, but the other wheel didn't turn. Had the same result regardless of which wheel i turned. When i turned the propeller shaft, both wheels turned in the same direction. My question is: Does the fact that when i turn one wheel, the other wheel doesn't turn indicate something isn't right? So far, everyone I've asked agrees that it is odd, but nobody seems to know if it indicates a problem or not.

 

Shot in the dark...
You have a clutch type LSD with a worn out clutch.

 

or you were in neutral and the propeller shaft turned instead of the opposite wheel . because the brakes perhaps didnt open totally at the other wheel so the shaft in the gearbox turned ( lower resistance )
so always make sure a gear is put in..

-Patrick

edit: and yes when turning the prop shaft both wheels turn in same direction, exept the brakes thing than one could spin faster..