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I have a 2002 civic ex sedan..... when i had the car on the lift yesterday.... I noticed my driver side wheel was spinning very fast and the passenger side wasnt moving at all..... ive been having some driveability problems and am wondering if this sounds like anything?

I know sometimes both wheels will spin in neutral due to resistance and etc.... but why would only one spin and spin pretty damn fast

the car is manual too if that makes a difference

 
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http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential2.htm

 
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sorry im still learning a lot in school and i understand why one would have to spin faster and slower on turns..... but if my car is in neutral with the clutch out (released/not pressed) why would only one wheel spin very fast when the car is in the air and not turning?

sorry if my questions are retarded.... but its just never done it before and ive had it running on the lift many times.....

 
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Stop the spinning tire and see what happens.

 
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can you tell me what should happen? because my car isnt really in front of me on a lift anymore.... this happened yesterday at work. but i do remember stopping it and dont remember anything else happening, ex. other wheel spinning or any noises......? i could be wrong though

 
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It's fine, it's normal.

The diff is an open spool.

The wheel that spins the most freely is free to spin the fastest.

The wheel with the most drag is free to stop spinning.

 
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thanks! i guess ill have to post/look in another section then or make a new thread because im having some seriously awkward driveability problems and can't quite figure out whats wrong.... and i thought that might of been it

 
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what kind of awkward problems? No reason we can't discuss it here.. lol

 
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the other one should start spinning instead

 
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Only if the trans is in a gear.

 
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^ woops... yer right