The right rear wheel of my 2002 Rodeo, 3.2 L engine, 142,000 miles, sometimes spins on acceleration from a stop. Its the same kind of feeling you might get from starting in gravel , wet road, or ice until the tire catches the road and the car moves forward - BUT none of these things exist to cause the spin.

I've checked the tire and there doesn't appear to be anything wrong.

What could possibly be causing this ? I kind of like this vehicle ....... first one I've ever owned that made it passed 100,000 miles without a hiccup.

 

Does it happen every time or every so often? If it's just every so often, I might suggest lifting the car up and actually inspecting the tire all the way around. You could have a flat spot on it that's causing it to slip. I guess at that it could also be the differential acting up. I'm not entirely sure so don't quote me on it.

 

Thanks .... it happens every so often and the tire seems fine BUT yesterday I accidentally hit the "winter drive" button before I accelerated .... both wheels spun .... ever so slightly, but they both spun. Now I'm thinking transmission & since it's a closed system, I'm wondering what kind of cost would be involved just to have a dealer ( now 60 miles away) to look at it.

BUT ...... differential problems ...... maybe that too ........ at keast I have a starting point.