What happens when the front is spinning but the rear is still?

**MisterNBG** · 01-15-2013 10:22 PM

So it snowed today, had the most fun i have ever had in a vehicle before in my life! So as I started to pull into this parking lot I hit the e brake, got it side ways and did a huge doughnut! Right after that I was like... Oh ****

What happens when the front wheels are spinning and the rear are locked up from the E brake. It was just a kiss of the e brake to get the back to come around, but still. What is happening internally that is allowing the front to spin and the rear to stop? And is it damaging anything? The differential or the drive shaft or... something?

I just wanna know if it's something I shouldn't be too worried about or maybe should never do it? IDK that's why I'm looking for knowledge from the informed Thanks dudes!!!

Subaru's Rock in the snow btw, I felt like Tanner Foust haha xD

After shredding in Arctic PA \m/

**skinikko** · 01-15-2013 11:34 PM

Drift by the the rpm's next time and you'll have more control. Car should me fine. Maybe the ABS came in and locked it up.

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**skinikko** · 01-15-2013 11:35 PM

Be*

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**Donkey** · 01-16-2013 03:51 AM

It could cause damage to the center differential.

**Ruh Roh** · 01-16-2013 05:05 AM

i always wear my flatbrimmed hat when i snowdrift so i feel like ken block. ive only got to slide my car a few times around in the snow

hopefully more this winter.

**xFalleNx** · 01-16-2013 06:20 AM

uhh e-brake?....

What do you think locked up the rear tires when you pulled that lever and then went sideways?

**Ingo** · 01-16-2013 06:56 AM

There are 3 diffs, front, center and rear. When you lock the rear up via hand-brake (not E-brake,please) the center diff is taking the hit. It WILL heat up under those conditions and I'd advise care to not overdo it. I've done that playing with no ill effects, but didn't use the hand brake, just liberal application on power. Had the car spinning almost on the spot. So, first you got to be sure you have all the space you need and double that for safety. Turn off traction control. Then limit the playing to short duration, maybe 3 minutes, no more. Do NOT slip the clutch and try to stay off the brakes. When traction is loose and all 4 wheels are spinning I would think it's actually less load on drive shafts and diff then regular driving. Anyways, it's unbelievable just how much fun it is. But that means you got to control yourself and not overdo it, it's just too darn easy. So far I've managed to not break it. If I ever do, the wife is going to take my head off - I'll have to figure out how to blame traffic...

**MisterNBG** · 01-16-2013 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by skinikko

Drift by the the rpm's next time and you'll have more control. Car should me fine. Maybe the ABS came in and locked it up.

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Nah no ABS, and what do you mean by "Drift by the rpm's"? It's AWD so just kicking the gas on a turn will make the car push... It's no RWD unless you meant something else or have another technique

**MisterNBG** · 01-16-2013 02:22 PM

Yeah same here... I live in North Easter PA and we get like 0 snow

I used to think that one was a hippie for believing in global warming... But the last two years can almost be used as proof towards that theory lol... we got like... 3 inches of snow this entire year so far and only like 7 inches last year... I'm thinking of taking my Scooby and moving up North lol

**MisterNBG** · 01-16-2013 02:23 PM

You didn't get my questions... The car is AWD but when I hit the e-brake, the rear stops spinning (obviously) but the front keeps spinning... I'm asking if that is okay for the internals.

**MisterNBG** · 01-16-2013 02:24 PM

oh? I guess I'll figure out another way to do my drifty drifts then lol

**Rambo** · 01-16-2013 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by MisterNBG

It's AWD so just kicking the gas on a turn will make the car push... It's no RWD unless you meant something else or have another technique

Scandinavian Flick:

Originally Posted by MisterNBG

You didn't get my questions... The car is AWD but when I hit the e-brake, the rear stops spinning (obviously) but the front keeps spinning... I'm asking if that is okay for the internals.

For the brief manuever you described, you're fine, but do not make a habit of it. As stated earlier, your center diff is coping with extreme loading in this situation.

**UEDan** · 01-16-2013 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by MisterNBG

Nah no ABS, and what do you mean by "Drift by the rpm's"? It's AWD so just kicking the gas on a turn will make the car push... It's no RWD unless you meant something else or have another technique

Learn to balance the brake and the gas. Or give it a little flick...
It's possible to break traction in the rain on a 2liter Stage 1 WRX without the hand brake.. Ask me how.

**MisterNBG** · 01-16-2013 02:30 PM

Yeah I have no problem getting the cars wheels to spin, but because it's AWD it just wants to push you know... Its not RWD lol. Also this may seem very nooby but, do I have TCS? It's an '04 WRX, Because I was ripping around and sliding with little to know control and the only assist I felt throughout my hours of fun in the snow, was ABS. So either it's turned off or I don't have it lol. Thanks for the advice dude!

Also where I grew up, everyone calls it the E-brake or the floor brake or the Emergency brake. I've never heard anyone but brits call it the hand brake lol

Must be nice living in CO with all that snow !