I replaced my drivers side axle and the way I initially locked the wheel from spinning in the air was by placing it in reverse gear. This allowed me to remove the axle nut. A pretty good amount of fluid came from the transmission when I pulled the axle out initially.

Now that the driver side is back together, I raised the passenger side of the car lifting both wheels from the ground and I went to place the vehicle back in reverse because I had swapped it from reverse to 1st in order to tighten the axle nut. (car still on ground then.)

Well now as I go to the other side of the vehicle, which is now completely off the ground because both sides are raised, the wheels will not lock when I place the car in reverse as to take the axle nut off. I used the brakes to do this but now I am worried that my vehicle will not engage in gear!!

Any suggestions on what has happened? Is it when both wheels are off the ground, the vehicle cannot lock a tire through the transmission? I have not put any new fluid in, but I did start the car on stands and try to engage, it made a grinding noise?

Thanks in advance.

 

Open diff ftw.

 

Need to have at least 1 wheel on the ground for what you're trying to do. Doesn't matter what gear you use, wheels will spin opposite eachother when both off the ground. Just use impact gun for axle nut

 

6,000 posts and didnt pick up what an open diff is somewhere along the way?

 

I was/am worried about a potential issue, that's all. I am currently at war with my passenger side axle which is frozen in the intermediate shaft. Already had it out for a beating, now I put it back in for mounting purposes and I will prybar it tomorrow.