changed all tyres. Changed front breaks and rotor week back. Immediately after that noticed a squeaking sound. Took it back week later and dealer says the front differential assembly needs replaced ($6500). When jacked up and running only one front tyre turns!!! He said it is differential assembly issue!! Any thoughts?
welcome! i think that's the way it is supposed to work. how many miles on her? how long have you owned?
Welcome to PC. The only thing I can think of is that I would need to know more before knowing what to think. My initial response, dues to the term "differential," is that this is someone either doesn't know anything about the Prius or is just trying to use simplified language. With the front jacked up, the most likely reason I can think of for only one wheel to spin when powered by the car (ESPECIALLY with a new brake job) is that one brake is dragging.
Indeed. As @jerrymildred kindly points out, at idle, with one front wheel spinning freely, a dragging brake on the other front wheel would be enough to stop its turning. I’d definitely want a second opinion before allowing anyone to repair or replace the hybrid vehicle transaxle with the symptoms described. For more on differentials, watch Around the Corner (Jam Handy Organization, 1937), from 2:53 to 7:20 or so. The differential gear unit on Prius cars works in the same way, but it’s part of the transaxle and drives the front wheels, of course. (By the way, this film is mentioned in Toyota’s Drivetrain Service & Repair: Course 351 Technician Handbook. I wonder if the authors realized that it was produced for the Chevrolet Motor Division.)
Jack up the front end and try turning the wheels with the car in neutral. The wheel that won’t spin in neutral has a sticking caliper, bad brake hose, put together wrong, or something of that nature.
