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Park mechanism disengaged long after tires unweighted?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by 2009Prius, Oct 4, 2009.

  1. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    I jacked the car up to rotate tires and install splash guards. The left front tire was locked up by the parking mechanism as expected. When I moved to work on the right front tire, I could spin it with small and smooth resistance. Then I found the left front tire could spin too! :confused: Did I break something? :eek: I then turned the car READY then OFF. No the tires could still spin. :( I lowered the car to the ground and jack it up again. Now the front tires were locked up as expected. :) But after some time the tires could spin again. :(

    How does the parking mechanism work? It seems to depend on the tires being loaded (weighed down)?
     
    #1 2009Prius, Oct 4, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  2. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    The parking pawl locks the final drive ahead of the differential,
    so if both wheels are unweighted they can spin opposite directions
    but the rest of the driveline stays put.
    .
    _H*
     
    #2 hobbit, Oct 5, 2009
    2 people like this.
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