All wheels spin while in park while on lift

[etc.]

I had my 96 4runner with 4wd sprayed with fluid film last night and while it was in the lift, the guy spraying the underside noticed my all of my tires would spin freely.

I confirmed once he was done, but I couldn't explain it. I checked the gear selector and it was fully seated in the park position. The lift was a 2 post and the truck was lifted by the frame.


What needs to be adjusted or replaced?

And in before someone says I need to rebuild my transmission.

 

[m0ist]

Like, all the wheels turn at the same time? Or do they turn one at a time... If u park on a slope, your car rolls?

 

[djaye.]

Normal if you have an open diff in the rear (front is open diff and disengaged from trans at the transfercase). If you have a limited slip rear and it spins freely it may be worn. Regardless, when all 4 wheels are on the ground, it shouldn't roll, if it does, you have an actual issue.

 

[etc.]

While on the ground and in park, the vehicle will not move... at all. You can hear the parking pawl if you try to move it.

On the lift, in the air and in park, the tires will spin. I know the fronts should spin, but it's puzzling me why the rear tires will spin when they should not.

Fronts will spin independently and the rears will spin together in opposite direction.

 

[m0ist]

It's an open differential my man. You're fine.

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Fronts will spin independently and the rears will spin together in opposite direction.

Well that's the normal function of a differential when it is not locked (or LSD). When locked, this should not happen.

 

[turbo8]

If the rear drive shaft spins when in park, then you have a problem.

 

[phattyduck]

Yeah, it locks the transmission output, not the wheels.

The front wheels should spin by themselves (not move the opposite wheel), while the rears will spin the opposite side in the opposite direction. That's how differentials work... If the truck was in 4WD, the front wheels would spin opposite directions when spun by hand off the ground (ADD engaged).

-Charlie

 

[BrandonF]

Yeah, it locks the transmission output, not the wheels.

The front wheels should spin by themselves (not move the opposite wheel), while the rears will spin the opposite side in the opposite direction. That's how differentials work... If the truck was in 4WD, the front wheels would spin opposite directions when spun by hand off the ground (ADD engaged).

-Charlie

Exactly, I think this is pretty key. The rear wheels spin opposite eachother but the drivetrain upstream is locked. And obviously when your wheels are on the ground with the weight of the vehicle on them, they aren't going to be able to spin opposite directions