only one tire is spinning?

Question

I have a rear wheel drive '88 astro van. It's stuck in the snow. The question is only one tire is spinning, the other is stuck.
I have not had any trouble driving the vehicle in the snow, so I know that both rear tires were spinning before.

It was only parked for a few hours.

Whats the matter?

Any ideas at this point are good ideas, I have NONE.

Answer 1

That is normal. What you are thinking is that both should spin. That is "posi trak" Yours is not that. Both tires will spin for a short time if the surface under both tires are relatively the same..As it is now, one can spin madly and the other will move very slowly (limited slip differential). Get some sand under it.

Answer 2

I am going to assume that this is a serious question...

With a vehicle in good working order, only one drive wheel spins. That's the way the car was designed. In a traditional vehicle, the wheel that spins is the one with the least traction. Since vehicles go in various directions, like left and right, the differential helps the wheels rotate at different velocities. Some vehicles have "posi-traction," which is a differential that provides the power to the wheel with the most traction (or resistance). That would get you out of a snow bank.

When both wheels are on dry pavement, you would never notice that only one wheel is driving. It's only when you are stuck that you notice the design of the typical rear-drive vehicle.

Even in front wheel drive, the same situation exists. But, in older front wheel drive vehicles, the driver could feel that drive wheel steer (called "torque-steer") under acceleration, where the car would pull to one side, since only one wheel was driving.

Answer 3

The limited slip that Ford used on those usually only lasted 20 or 30,000 miles before the clutches wore out and they became standard differentials again. You can get replacement clutch pack for the rear end and replace them without too much trouble, as long as you follow the instructions exactly.
If you want to get serious, look up ABS air lockers. Then you can push a button to lock the differential and use both wheels.

Answer 4

Most rear wheel drive cars send all the traction to the wheel moving the fastest. This is good in most cases, but not if you are on ice. You might try to jack the rear and put scraps of carpet or cardboard under the tire on ice and drive away slowly. Sand or dirt under the tire may help, also, if you can't jack it.

Answer 5

What they have said about the rear end is correct. If you need to move the van, try partially applying the parking brake while you try to move it. The addition of the P-brake will add a little stress to the spinning wheel, and might get the othe wheel to spin.

Answer 6

typical for a non posi. rear , as others have said get some sand , kitty litter etc. under the tires and get about 300 lbs. over the rear wheels (inside the van , between the wheel wells ) good luck

Answer 7

The inventory tires on your elantra are junk at superb. We had the comparable situation with my girlfriends elantra!!! 0 moist climate traction!!! make particular you decelerate early additionally. i attempted decrease air rigidity and it helped a splash. do away with them ASAP!!! I placed Yokohamma's on hers and it grew to become into like driving a diverse motor vehicle, smoother journey and traction.

Answer 8

its normal... on even surface both spin but on snow or ice only one...you need posi traction.

Answer 9

This is a standard differential. Not posi-lock. This condition is normal for a standard differential.;-)=

Answer 10

you have a limited rear slip. Only one tire will spin.