> I raised both the front and back on one side and put it out of gear. When I
> turned the front wheel by hand  the rear wheel turned smoothly. With the side
> still raised, I started the engine and put it in gear. Both the front and
> rear turned smoothly again. This tells me that the VC is NOT dead.
>
> So what was going on when I spun the wheels in the snow? Why weren't the
> front wheels turning then? Maybe your VC and mine aren't dead. Maybe I just
> don't understand how it works.
>
This is no test.  Jack up only *one* front wheel and try to turn it --
it should turn *very* slowly with stiff resistance, but should turn.  If
it turns freely, your VC is bad, if it turns not at all, your VC is
also bad.  With both wheels off the ground, the internal resistance of
even a dead VC will be enough to spin the both wheels.  You can try your
test with the engine running, in gear, again.  I'll bet that you can stop
the front wheel spinning with your hand (wear a glove, and don't try too
hard).

malcolm