When the car is in park the driveshaft locks up, but the wheels still freely spin...

[ToastToAlmost]

The title pretty much sums it up. Does anyone have any idea as to why when the car is in park the drive shaft locks up but the rear wheels still freely spin? I know next to nothing when it comes to rear ends so any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[briankaplan]

Open rear axle? That would happen with both wheels off the ground.

 

[RedFish]

Open rear axle? That would happen with both wheels off the ground.

yep
You should see one wheel turning oposite direction of the other. Thats how a differential works.

 

[daredevil]

How come your car doesnt roll away in park? i would think the drive wheel wouldnt spin.Never mind, spiders are turning not the ring gear. doh as long as wheels are off ground they will freewheel on the spiders

 

[ToastToAlmost]

Yeah, I understand that, but it's doing it when the car is on the ground too. The car rolls as if it was in neutral, except the driveshaft is locked.

 

[1968FormulaS340]

the only way it could do that is if the rear end was broke.

 

[grumpuscreature]

When the car is in park the output shaft of the transmission is locked by the park pawl. As long as the rear wheels are on the ground they can't move, but when you jack up one side the open rear will allow the tires to move and the car will roll until it falls off the jack and both tires are on the ground. That's one reason to always set the emergency brake when you park the car.

 

[grumpuscreature]

Yeah, I understand that, but it's doing it when the car is on the ground too. The car rolls as if it was in neutral, except the driveshaft is locked.

Check for a broken axle.