Just bought a 8 3/4 have a few questions?

the 7 1/4 spun the opposite direction now my new 8 3/4 with the 489 casing spins the same direction when spun, but Guitar Jones mentioned to hold one axle still and then to try spinning the other axle. And when i did so i was able to spin the other axle not being held and the pinion also spun while i spun the nonheld axle.