HELP! engine/tranny screwed!

[pr5owner]

when i turn my car off on my driveway and leave it in first, 2nd, hell in every gear the car rolls back WTF? aren't std. cars supposed to stay where they are when they are left in gear? and my steering wheel doesn't lock when the car is off, does any of yours? the steering wheel in my rav4 locks after 1/8 of a turn when the key is out of the ign.

 

[rodslinger]

Depends on how steep your driveway is. It may be steep enough that the engine compression isn't enough to hold the car. That's why they put the parking brake there. Use it. I don't know what to tell you about your steering wheel lock. Mine locks but I also have an auto. I don't expect there should be a difference.

 

[fastdrvr23]

when i turn my car off on my driveway and leave it in first, 2nd, hell in every gear the car rolls back WTF? aren't std. cars supposed to stay where they are when they are left in gear? and my steering wheel doesn't lock when the car is off, does any of yours? the steering wheel in my rav4 locks after 1/8 of a turn when the key is out of the ign.

Like rodslinger said about the ebrake, use it. If you have a really steep driveway, put the car in first or reverse depending on which direction you are facing, and cut the wheels to the nearest curve. Also, my P5's steering doesn't lock either, I don't think there is anything to worry about there...

 

[Sir Nuke]

well this made me think...so I had to go and check....I have a p-5, it has a 5 speed...and my steering DOES lock...just went out and turned it and "SNAP" it locked....so maybe there is something wrong with at least that part.....have it checked out

and as far as the car rolling....like the others said....that is what the e brake is for....not to mention...if your driveway or anywhere else you park for that matter is on an incline...and you are relying on your tranny and engine to keep the car from moving...well you are stressing and straining parts that are not designed to be doing the job you are asking them to be....why would you want to park your car and have the entire drive train loaded with a constant stress in one spot? NOT ME!

 

[superdude]

I drove to work today and also when i turned the car my steering wheel locked. Why don't you try turn it to the side a little more, I mean if mine locks yours should too.

 

[20ESGUY]

I'll field the question on the steering lock, used to asked that all the time at the dealership. The wheel won't lock or isn't supposed to lock in the center or just off center postion. Because of the airbag's clock spring and the multifunction switch it won't lock till you get almost all the way to one full turn on the wheel in either direction or you get to full steering lock either left or right. If any of you have ever ridden a motorcycle it's kind of like that, where the lock won't engage till you get to a certain noch in the steering stem.

 

[Sir Nuke]

I'll field the question on the steering lock, used to asked that all the time at the dealership. The wheel won't lock or isn't supposed to lock in the center or just off center postion. Because of the airbag's clock spring and the multifunction switch it won't lock till you get almost all the way to one full turn on the wheel in either direction or you get to full steering lock either left or right. If any of you have ever ridden a motorcycle it's kind of like that, where the lock won't engage till you get to a certain noch in the steering stem.

well I know there is a notch that it "clicks" into...but its not that far around...my car was parked in the garage...wheels straight...it was only about 1/8 turn till it locked.

 

[Syzygy]

My rules on parking brakes:

1) ALWAYS use them. Wear-and-tear will occur when the weight of the car presses against the gears, even on a "flat" surface. Tranny's aren't cheap!

2) If there is ever a time you don't want to use it, see rule #1.

 

[20ESGUY]

As to the steering lock, I asked the question to one of my techs because I didn't know. That was how it was explained to me. Just from experince though some won't lock till you get to full steering lock and some will lock at like 1/8 of a turn, but i've never seen any lock less than that, especially if it's dead nuts center. I guess its just one of those mysterious things like why cars built on mondays and fridays are worse than the rest of the week.

 

[pr5owner]

ahh yes thank you for your reponses!, i always use my ebrake but i was painting my calipers with the front wheels jacked up and i couldn't undo the lug nuts because the wheels kept turning *ARRG*! i threw it into all the gears but nothing would stop it so i had to jam the breaks down with a brick. and about the steering lock mine does not lock at all i turned it 1/2 and noting happens! (key was not in the ign.) i can't lock it no matter what, but my car was in an accedent recently so im gonna go yell at the mechanic..

 

[Sir Nuke]

ahh yes thank you for your reponses!, i always use my ebrake but i was painting my calipers with the front wheels jacked up and i couldn't undo the lug nuts because the wheels kept turning *ARRG*! i threw it into all the gears but nothing would stop it so i had to jam the breaks down with a brick. and about the steering lock mine does not lock at all i turned it 1/2 and noting happens! (key was not in the ign.) i can't lock it no matter what, but my car was in an accedent recently so im gonna go yell at the mechanic..

as for when you need to remove the front wheels....do this one of two ways....first just barely losten them BEFORE you jack up the car....then leave the car in FIRST gear...they will come right off....if you get the car up in the air and then remember you forgot to losten them...have a friend sit in the car and mash the brakes till you get the all broke lose.


and if they had some reason to be messin with the stearing...it seems to me if you can trun your steering wheel more than a full revolution with the key out....they either screwed something up...or DIDn't fix something that was broke.

 

[rodslinger]

i was painting my calipers with the front wheels jacked up and i couldn't undo the lug nuts because the wheels kept turning

Well of course the wheels are going to turn when they are off the ground. Our cars have an open differential.

 

[fastdrvr23]

well I know there is a notch that it "clicks" into...but its not that far around...my car was parked in the garage...wheels straight...it was only about 1/8 turn till it locked.

This has me worried a bit... With my car off, no key in ignition, wheels straight, I can turn them either direction as far as I want. They don't lock at all. The only thing I can think of different would be my lack of antilock brakes, and nothing dealing with brakes should affect my steering lock... Anybody have any ideas?

 

[matt1318]

and as far as the car rolling....like the others said....that is what the e brake is for....not to mention...if your driveway or anywhere else you park for that matter is on an incline...and you are relying on your tranny and engine to keep the car from moving...well you are stressing and straining parts that are not designed to be doing the job you are asking them to be....why would you want to park your car and have the entire drive train loaded with a constant stress in one spot? NOT ME!

I think the stress on the driveline is a little higher when driving the car than it is at rest and in gear. Any stress put on the driveline while parked in gear is negligible compared to the stress of putting the power down under acceleration.