when i reverse off my drive and apply nearly full lock in reverse the front wheels seem to grab/slip like the differential isn't working. Would this be normal?

I've just jacked up on front wheel to see if i can spin it with the other still on the ground and i cannot. Not sure what other test to try.

Can you help me? Could my differential be knackered. Sorry this is a bit out of my depth.

 

My quattro does the same thing when turning very slowly and sharply in the driveway or parking lot. It is very subtle. The front driver that I had as a loaner did not do it. I am guessing that the torsen center diff might not allow complete freedom of movement between axles.

 

thanks thats made me a bt more happy. I'd still like to hear off others with front wheel drive to see if this has happened to them. Thanks B7Night for the reply. TA.

 

Tweety, I brought this almost identical question up a few months ago, and others told me that they had noticed the same thing on their quattro's. Someone also said that they did not notice the sensation on a front drive A4. Once I had a loaner front drive A4 for a few days I can agree that it seems to be a quattro thing. To me the front wheels slipping, or fighting the differential was mostly only noticable in very slippery conditions while doing the very slow parking lot or driveway sharp turns. Less friction, so the wheels could slip easier instead of fighting the torsen. It is not as noticable in dry. In my case it is quite subtle, so I am not worried. I don't know how severe this is happening on your car.