in my back wheel it rotates a couple of times then comes to a stop should it be running more freely than this?? its a pro 2 hub been on the bike 2 yrs now and i havent touched it in that time. My front wheel will spin forever should the back be like that too?

Could be your disc brakes touching pads? try re-adjusting them. (usually happens with mine when removing wheel).

should be as good as a front wheel with the chain removed – or nearly so. Mine runs on for minutes – pro 2 as well

What the oracle said.

hmm its not the brake pads could this mean my bearings are knackered?

As TJ says, with the wheel removed should be the same. I have a hope Xc hub an mine will spin for ages, as for the bearings is there any side to side motion in the hub? or when spinning the wheel in your hands holding the end caps, does there feel like a knocking like the bearings are catching on something? Replacement bearings are easy to come by an don’t cost much. Plus they are a piece of piss to replace.

If your wheel stops, then momentarily rotates in the opposite direction, all is well. If it stops without rotating in the opposite direction, you have excess friction. As far as I can tell anyway!