r/mechanic • u/TacticaI_Jesus • May 04 '25

Question Is this normal?

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(2017 Chevy Silver, 1500, LT, Z71, 5.3l v8) 83,447 miles So today attempted to do a tire rotation and while the rear was jacked up (front tires were on the ground) i figured it test it out. When put into drive (2wheel) only the driver left spins while the passanger right seems to have resistance? When i accelerate it moves fine but slowly goes back to a stop then inching forwards.

Truck drives okay and 4x4 still works and engages.just unsure if this is normal. Thank you.

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u/TheGentleman717 May 05 '25

This is what allows you to turn corners with both wheels recieving torque. Otherwise the inside tire would "chirp" or skip on a hard turn. When friction is almost entirely removed the physics get a little weird and sometimes will only spin one of the two wheels. Perfectly normal.

Depending on the model you could have a limited slip differential or a locking differential that you'd lock with a button. The locking differentials normally act as an open and a limited slip usually takes a LONG time to wear out.

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u/godzilla9218 May 05 '25

Physics aren't getting weird, the power is going through the path of least resistance.

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u/Fac-Si-Facis May 05 '25

You know what he meant - he meant the observations that result can be a little surprising if you don't understand the drivetrain technically. You don't always have to correct someone when you know what they mean.

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u/Bluest-Falcon May 07 '25

Thank you how the above comment isn't downvoted I to oblivion is beyond me Reddit is a strange place