You can use the Rotation constraint to constrain an object’s individual axis. For example, you can make an object rotate only on its Y-axis, no matter which way the source object spins. 
To constrain a single axis:
- Create a Rotation constraint. Refer to Transferring rotation between objects  
- Double-click the Rotation constraint in the Scene browser to select it. 
- Open the Properties window. The Rotation constraint settings display. 
- Expand Constraint Axes and disable the axis (X, Y, or Z) for the translation effect you want to inhibit. 
- To reactivate the unconstrained axes, activate the X, Y, or Z axis option(s).