One Wheel Drive ?!?

[bigmick777]

Missus was using the car today when I get the call we all dread!

She was stuck trying to get out of her sisters road. Just lifting the clutch wouldnt pull. Her sister said left front wheel is spinning right isnt moving.

Got there and firstly inflated back tyre! Must be a slow puncture. Anyway, tried to move and going nowwhere. I was even able to let the clutch up and get out of the car to notice that the right wheel wasnt spinning left was.

Managed to get it moving by rolling back, getting more traction then hey presto. I also sprayed a bit on anti freeze around the front right brakes (not sure if I should have or if it did anything, I thought the brakes might be stuck on - i know there is a problem with the parking brake and cold weather!) ...

Driving home appeared as normal no loss of power etc no obvious sign of brakes sticking....

So, got back, checked all tyre pressures then got the missus to check on my road which is still a bit icy. Gave it some beans and the right wheel didnt spin. Tried again, and it jerked, tried again and then the missus said it was spinning OK?

Any ideas? Got about a 150 mile journey tomorrow.

Thanks in advance, Mick.

[direstraits]

Your car (like all meganes and lagunas) has a differential. When one wheel is on ice, the other one (taht's on a solid surface) won't spin. If you drove Nissan Patrol with a diff lock on, that would spell trouble. Otherwise, perfectly normal for a front wheel drive car.

[-KJ-]

Rather basic car knowledge.

[bigmick777]

Thanks for the prompt responses.

I understand the concept of a differential, however, the thing that was confusing me is that both wheels were on ice. If i take the car out now, put it on the icy road and accelerate, the left wheel spins the right stays put. Go backwards and forwards a few times then the right wheel then spins.

[direstraits]

Could also be weight distribution, you're sitting on the right side.

[bigmick777]

Could also be weight distribution, you're sitting on the right side.

LOL - I may be big but not that big!! I can actually climb out the car with the clutch lifted with the left wheel spinning / right not moving despite both being on solid ice!

[pw981]

Remember the left hand drive shaft is shorter than the right one...

[davelowe]

Quit looking for problems where there aren't any! Jack the thing up, put it in gear, grab a wheel. Watch the other one turn. Do the same with the other side... Oddly, mine spin with it in neutral. Any ideas?

[bigmick777]

Thanks for all the responses - clearly i thought there was an issue when there wasnt but its re-assuring to hear it. What caught me out was I have never had a car where I have seen this happen and been stuck in snow and ice many times. I suppose its difficult to see from behind the wheel!

Although when helping push cars etc I can seem to remember both wheels spinning which is probably what confused me! This combined with the fact that I also have the issue with the rear brake sticking in cold weather (yup known fault unless I leave the park break off), and that had me thinking what else was frozen / Sticking!

Anyway, problem (or lack of) solved!