Latitude42

Today I had one rear wheel of a 1997.5 Quattro A6 Avant (C4 platform, Engine code AFC) off the ground for brake work. Other three wheels on the ground. I discovered this rear wheel could rotate even with the transmission in Park. It is known that the car will not roll with the transmission in Park, that has been tested. Is it normal that a rear half-shaft can turn freely, even with the transmission in Park?

As a later amendment to my post, I'll report I also discovered with the rear wheel off the ground, it will also turn freely with engine off, transmission in Drive. So I guess I need to know if, when I turn the rear wheel like this, I'm merely turning a fluid clutch or something, and this is all normal. Otherwise I suppose I have a shot rear case. The car drives normally although up-shifting feels a little late.

dubblrest1985

it is normal. If quattro loses complete traction with one wheel, the system is pretty much disabled

varia

something to read about quattro:
Quattro Evolutions | awd cars, 4x4 vehicles, 4wd trucks, 4motion, quattro, xDrive, SH-AWD, Haldex, Torsen, wiki - How it works