i was rotating my tires today and i tried to unscrew the lugnut and my tire spun. . my car was in gear when it was raised and my e-brake was on. . this happened on all tires. . .why??

Break loose the lugnuts with the tire still touching the ground, and you won't have that problem anymore.

are u absolutely positive that you were in gear?

cuz if you are, then i'm just as baffled :confused: and would also appreciate an answer

This is normal if both fronts or both rears are in the air. You would also notice that the opposite wheel spins the other direction. This is caused by the gears in the diffs. Completely normal.

Originally posted by Tim Sanderson
This is normal if both fronts or both rears are in the air. You would also notice that the opposite wheel spins the other direction. This is caused by the gears in the diffs. Completely normal.

It should only do it on the front because it's an open dif (not to mention that he had the e-brake up). THe rear shouldn'y turn if you have the car in gear. The beauty of Limited Slip Differentials...

The rear will do it too if the e-brake is not on. Neither diff is "open" they are both limited slip. the center is a viscous type.

I'm pretty sure the front diff on a WRX is not limited slip. I thought that was something they just recently put on the USDM STi. Could be wrong. Anyways, limited slip or not, there is not enough force from spinning the wheel by hand to get the diff to lock up. Always loosen lugnuts before jacking. Heck I was told that in high school drivers ed.;)

MY 02-03 2.5 RS - no front lsd - no rear lsd
MY 02-03 WRX - no front lsd - rear VLSD
MY 04 STi - mechanical front lsd - mechanical rear lsd

oh and Keith is right!
:D
Dan

Just make sure when you loosen the lug nuts while the car is on the ground, you just break the lugs loose. I guess you can't assume the obvious can you :rolleyes: ?

-Charles-