Should back tires spin freely off the ground?

[5Cent]

My wife was complaining of a low grinding/howling noise. At 71K, I figured the brakes are getting close, so I took it for a drive and now have passenger side rear off the ground and I am rotating the tire. The tire will rotate half a turn then stop. A little back spin and it seems to "unlock" something. Is this normal? I don't know off hand if it has a limited slip in it, but even then it should be unlocked. Vehicle is 4x4.

Next is checking rearend fluid level.

 

[shadowless127]

isnt the parking brake in the rear for 4wd?

 

[5Cent]

isnt the parking brake in the rear for 4wd?

If the parking brake was dragging, I would be able to tell when rotating the tires. Isn't the parking brake hooked up to each wheel? This is like a full driveline lockup every half turn.

 

[5Cent]

TTT, what do your rear wheels do when they are off the ground?

 

[jrford]

I sounds like you have limited slip. You need to check the axle code on the drivers door.
Look it up here
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235261&highlight=axle+code
to be sure.

On my AWD i can not spin the wheel if there is only one wheel off the ground. With both rears up then yes, i have an axle code of 45 which means open/3.55. I don't know how a LSD would act with both wheels up.

 

[jsmart2]

I have a 4 wheel auto and they spin freely when on a lift...