Wheels spin free in gear w/ car off.. Trans? please help

[ISTROKEPOLE]

Ok guys, i've tried searching but only came up w/ one other thread on this subject and it wasnt too helpful b/c it didnt really have the answers i'm looking for.

The deal is, i picked up a cheap project car that needed to be thrown back together, the motor was out, trans, tc etc... I just got done throwing it all back together w/ the supplied 2600 clutch, trans and tc.

the car is a 90' awd 5 spd tsi

after putting it all back together and getting the axles in the car and everything all buttoned up and fluids filled. I had the car on jack stands and noticed if i spin the pass. side front wheel the driver side front will rotate the opposite direction. which is correct due to limited slip. i then noticed that im still able to spin the wheels free while in gear, and it does not grab or get any resistance trying to turn the motor over. Its almost like free wheeling. I removed the rubber boot for the shift fork to get a better look and while spinning the wheels the press. plate doesnt appear to move at all? is my clutch slipping? maybe center differential? im at a loss here and any help would be very useful. I also noticed that in gear while cranking or turning engine over by hand the tires will spin, but if you put any resistance at all the front tires will not spin but slip.

*all of this being done w/ the vehicle off - and i also noticed some gear lube leaking from between the TC and transmission which leads me to believe that either my tc input and seal is shot or maybe the output shaft seal on the transmission it self.

thanks in advance guys -

 

[SrKegler]

That's normal. Put the wheels on the ground and try and move the car. If it will move while in gear, then you have problems.

 

[ISTROKEPOLE]

oh man, i just went out and tried it on the ground and you are 100% correct. i was freakin out over this thing for the last couple of days wondering what was up. Now i just need to get a buddy to help me bleed the clutch and i'm good to go.

I called the dealer near me and it turns out my car still has the open recall for the transfer case so i guess that'll save me the time from yankin it out myself. I think im going to print out a copy of the vfaq for it and bring it to them to follow.


thanks again.