One HalfShaft Spins, Other doesnt?

Tiny
AIRIOX
  • MEMBER
  • GEO METRO
I have a 1991 Geo Metro 160k miles, automatic.

Both of the outer cv boots have broken on the fwd car and the joints were bad. So I decided to replace the half shafts since they were only $75 each at the local auto parts store. I replaced the drivers side shaft and drove on the car for a few days. Then I bought the half shaft for the passenger side of the car once I had the money and replaced it.

Once I was finished with installation I went to make sure everything worked properly. I put it in reverse and it was a little slow to accelerate, which is normal for this car. Then when I put it in drive it was really slow to accelerate. So I pulled back into the garage jacked it up and ran the car. Only the passenger side wheel was spinning. The drivers side which was the first half shaft I replaced wasn't spinning or speratically at times slower than the passenger side.

The drivers side was working fine until I replaced the half shaft on the other side of the car. Now it won't spin at all, while the passenger side engages just fine.

I would just reinstall the drivers side again and see what happens, but I would like the opinions of an expert first. Thanks in advance.
Monday, October 8th, 2007 AT 2:19 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Usually only one side of these spin when both are in the air. You would need a podi-trac differential for both to spin.I don't know what you did wrong. Do you hear any strange grinding when driving the car? And check your brakes on the front, see if the caliper is stuck?
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Monday, October 8th, 2007 AT 2:26 PM
Tiny
AIRIOX
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Ah, looks it it was just due to my idiocy. Thanks for that, didn't know both wheels wouldn't spin. I'm just a self trained DIYer not exactly a car expert.

But yeah, once you said that, and the brake thing. It got my mind going. I think it was just the parking brake left on. And instead of realizing it, my mind immediately went to the worse scenario. Then I saw only one wheel spinning properly and figured I messed something up.

But yeah, car works fine now. Just need to go get it aligned with some snow tires in the front. Thanks!
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Monday, October 8th, 2007 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Glad it was an easy one!
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Monday, October 8th, 2007 AT 3:22 PM

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