Stupid Question

[Manarius]

Before I psted this question, I searched to see what the answer was. My situation is a little more unique then what the answers applied to.

Now, I wanted to see what kind of differential my car had. I searched and the method to test is jack up the rear and spin one of the tires. If the other moves in the same direction, you have an LSD. If the other moves in the opposite direction, you have an open (effectively a 2WD car). Well, I did that just now and I spun one of the tires and the other one didn't move at all . Do I have a broken differential or what? Note though that when I turned the back wheels, it turned the driveshaft. Do I need to be worried?

[professor]

if you have a LSD, the other wheel will begin turning but sometimes with a big delay, how much did you spin the wheel ? You have to spin it in the right direction, also. If badly worn which is certainly possible, you might not have much luck.

if its an open differential, yes you should worry if the other wheel didn't spin. that would be bad

[tris91ricer]

Considering you have an L, I'd wager it's not an LSD, buddy. Sorry.

[All_talk]

if its an open differential, yes you should worry if the other wheel didn't spin. that would be bad

Not true if the driveline is spinning, with an open diff you can stop any one of the three shaft, spin one of the remaining shafts and the thrid will spin, its only the ratio that will change. I'm pretty sure you have a open diff, to be sure stop the driveline, if its a manual just drop it in gear. An auto is a little tougher, find someone to hold the driveline while you spin the wheel (be safe under the car, USE JACK STANDS). With an LSD spinning any one shaft should spin both of the others, the viscous type LSD in the Legacy may be slow to respond when turnning by hand, maybe try spinning it faster.

Gary

[greg donovan]

unless someone swapped diffs on you you have a open rear diff.