[lint601]

UHOH passatworld,

I changed out the rear shocks on my 2000 4motion wagon and I'm worried I may have pulled out the axles from the rear diff.
I followed this "how to":
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/b...lacement-rear-suspension-4motion-passats.html

Should my rear wheels move independently? Like the fronts do not.
Because, with the e-brake off, and one rear wheel off the ground, it spins. I don't remember it doing that last time I changed the tires.

I did a visual, and nothing looks out of the ordinary. I pulled on the axles in and out on both sides and there is no play.
I drove forward 2 feet, and backwards 2 feet. No noise.

should I drive it any further?

thanks!

 

[Tomvw]

Should my rear wheels move independently? Like the fronts do not.
Because, with the e-brake off, and one rear wheel off the ground, it spins. I don't remember it doing that last time I changed the tires.

While a manual is in neutral (auto not in park) you can jack up and turn any wheel independently front or rear.

I drove forward 2 feet, and backwards 2 feet. No noise.

This indicates you have drive on all wheels.


I expect it would be OK to drive it, but I have no way of knowing that you have everything right.

 

[lint601]

Hi Tomvw,
Thanks for your reply, I enjoy reading your posts & you always have good advice! :bowdown:

It is automatic. While in park, I can spin one rear wheel while it is off the ground and the other is making contact with the ground.

 

[Tomvw]

Are you saying that while it is locked in park, you can spin one wheel without any other wheel turning ?
I haven't worked on a 4Mo, but it is my understanding that while in park, you can't turn one wheel without another wheel (front or rear) turning.

 

[slocar]

Are you saying that while it is locked in park, you can spin one wheel without any other wheel turning ?
I haven't worked on a 4Mo, but it is my understanding that while in park, you can't turn one wheel without another wheel (front or rear) turning.

There's always some slippage in the diffs ... you will be able to turn a wheel by hand without others turning, because you're doing it so slow.

 

[lint601]

Both rear wheels are free-wheeling.
I'm a bit stumped because I think that 4mo rears should be "connected". Like the front wheels on a FWD; one spins one way and the other spins as well.

perhaps my assumption is incorrect.

I'll put it up on the hoist today & see whats going on.

 

[PZ]

I am not sure if the parking pawl only works on the front axles or not. Pulling a rear axle out would be easily identifiable as they pull out from the rear differential and leave a gap. I know if a front axle is disconnected on a 4MO, the car would not move. I expect the same if a rear axle is pulled. I don't recall ever lifting one side on the back of my 4MO, so I can not say for certain it should freewheel.

 

[Tomvw]

With both front wheels on the ground; if you turn one rear wheel forwards, the other should turn backwards at the same speed, or the tailshaft should turn forwards at half speed.

 

[lint601]

Thanks Tomvw,
That is what I thought. Sadly, that is NOT happening.

Any idea what could have gone wrong?

edit: i'm sleep deprived, stressed, and under all sorts of deadlines. When I read above post, I imagined that 3 tires were on the ground. Now I see that is not the case.

 

[lint601]

UPDATE:
With passenger rear tire in air and other 3 on ground; tire spins and I see it spinning the driveshaft to the front.
With both rear tires in air and fronts on ground; tires spin in opposite direction.

I think I'll change the rear diff fluid ... and the rest of the drivetrain fluids before snow-time.

 

[Tomvw]

As stated in post #2, that all seems fine.

 

[Hirnbeiss]

It's impossible that you would accidentally dislodge the rear axle if all you did was follow that procedure for the rear shocks. You would need to remove the axle nut, or the lower control arms as well. Additionally, I believe the axles bolt into the diff, so unless those bolts are broken or missing, the axle is just fine where it is.