Rear wheel wont spin forward

[jeremywatco]

Hi all,

Troubleshooting some brake issues so I jacked up the rear... when I attempt to spin the left rear tire forward it will not go. Its like locked up. It spins back just fine. When it spins backward the right rear spins the same direction.

NOW..

The right rear wheel spins forward with great effort and when it does the left rear wheel doesnt move at all but the driveshaft still moves. If I spin it backward the left rear will move backward was well...

Seems odd to me. Like something is up with the left rear drivetrain.

 

[SteveL]

I'm guessing it's a manual tranny in gear or an auto in park. You're trying to spin the drive wheel so its fighting the drivetrain.

 

[jeremywatco]

I'm guessing it's a manual tranny in gear or an auto in park. You're trying to spin the drive wheel so its fighting the drivetrain.

Should have done more investigating first. I think something is bound up in the drum. When I try to move it forward the parking brake cable flexes. I'm going to pull the wheel and see whats going on. I think it was a false alarm.

 

[Steve83]

When did this symptom appear? How did you find it? Does the truck drive? Who put the brakes together? How long ago (time/miles)?

Click this, read its caption, and the NEXT few:


(phone app link)

 

[DirtDonk]

I think he's been dealing with a braking issue already, which is likely why he was test spinning the wheels.

Jeremy, check out Steves diagrams and words (usually good reads) but you likely have a limited-slip, or very possibly a locking differential.
If you had a standard "open" diff then when you were able to turn one wheel the other would have turned in the opposite direction. Having them turn the same direction means that there is some sort of traction aiding differential.
Even a limited-slip makes it very hard to turn sometimes.

Spinning the wheels to test the brake resistance is one of the downsides to this type of diff. Makes what used to be a simple one-handed operation a real pain!

Paul

 

[Pa PITT]

i liked Pauls answer .But didn't know how to say it.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Take the rear drums off and try it again. Don't try to drive it like this, just the tire spin.

My guess is there is something going on in the drum brakes.