Limited slip
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: Newberry Springs, CA
Well, if you can't read it off the diff tag or the diff itself, here's what i would do.
Jack up the *** end. Put the trans in neutral, then manually spin one of the rear tires. If you have a limited slip they will both turn the same direction. If the wheel you're not turning goes the opposite direction, you have an open diff.
Jack up the *** end. Put the trans in neutral, then manually spin one of the rear tires. If you have a limited slip they will both turn the same direction. If the wheel you're not turning goes the opposite direction, you have an open diff.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,711
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From: Fort Worth
Well, I did it on some soft grassy area and I left two small ruts in the earth, so it must be working fine. I just like to test things periodically. Earlier today I was driving through the field and at the edge before the road, there is a hole maybe 6" deep maybe? I am unsure of the depth, but enough to have the truck slant when driving through it, and when the right rear tire landed in the hole (only that tire was in the hole), when I attempted to drive out, that tire spun in the mud in the hole, but the other didn't. I just switched into 4x4 briefly and got right out. Is that normal? The truck did make two clear, even ruts, but only that one tire spun in the mud hole.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,711
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From: Fort Worth
Well, if you can't read it off the diff tag or the diff itself, here's what i would do.
Jack up the *** end. Put the trans in neutral, then manually spin one of the rear tires. If you have a limited slip they will both turn the same direction. If the wheel you're not turning goes the opposite direction, you have an open diff.
Jack up the *** end. Put the trans in neutral, then manually spin one of the rear tires. If you have a limited slip they will both turn the same direction. If the wheel you're not turning goes the opposite direction, you have an open diff.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: Newberry Springs, CA
(only that tire was in the hole), when I attempted to drive out, that tire spun in the mud in the hole, but the other didn't. I just switched into 4x4 briefly and got right out. Is that normal? The truck did make two clear, even ruts, but only that one tire spun in the mud hole.
If it happens again, ride the break while you're gassing it to get out. Doing that provides enough tension to pull the clutch pack in. A Jeep club i used to hang out with used to call doing that a "poor man's locker".
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,711
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From: Fort Worth
Yes, that can be normal in the right situations. Remember, it's limited slip, not locked. Since there was no slip, the other tire was just spinning free, it won't pull the clutch pack in.
If it happens again, ride the break while you're gassing it to get out. Doing that provides enough tension to pull the clutch pack in. A Jeep club i used to hang out with used to call doing that a "poor man's locker".
If it happens again, ride the break while you're gassing it to get out. Doing that provides enough tension to pull the clutch pack in. A Jeep club i used to hang out with used to call doing that a "poor man's locker".
Thank you for the advice!
I always think that my truck has a problem only to find out it doesn't and that everything is operating normally. I need to stop being paranoid and over-thinking things!!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: maine
Well, I did it on some soft grassy area and I left two small ruts in the earth, so it must be working fine. I just like to test things periodically. Earlier today I was driving through the field and at the edge before the road, there is a hole maybe 6" deep maybe? I am unsure of the depth, but enough to have the truck slant when driving through it, and when the right rear tire landed in the hole (only that tire was in the hole), when I attempted to drive out, that tire spun in the mud in the hole, but the other didn't. I just switched into 4x4 briefly and got right out. Is that normal? The truck did make two clear, even ruts, but only that one tire spun in the mud hole.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
One way to tell... Almost identical length marks on dry blacktop.
An open diff won't unload one wheel all the time, all depends on how much traction each tire has. The stock LS is slightly better than an open diff IMO. My truck did the above marks on pavement but the low preload on the clutchpacks is evident when on lower traction surfaces, especially when the trucks on an angle.
An open diff won't unload one wheel all the time, all depends on how much traction each tire has. The stock LS is slightly better than an open diff IMO. My truck did the above marks on pavement but the low preload on the clutchpacks is evident when on lower traction surfaces, especially when the trucks on an angle.
Fulltime INFIDEL!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Down South
Probably a good thing to be paranoid about, LOL. These stock LS units suck. I had mine replaced with a TrueTrac at about 60K, and it was pretty much toast. I don't do anything out of the ordinary with my truck. Going with a gear driven LS was a good upgrade, and a huge piece of mind. It outperforms the stocker on whole different level. The biggest difference I noticed was that I can back the boat into the yard without 4 wheel drive.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Canton, Ohio
You can also jack up the right rear tire then put the transmission in gear the right rear will spin, then apply the parking break one click at a time until the truck starts to move. then you know it is working.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: south of heaven
Thats a good thing, to be paranoid and over-thinking things that is. Judging by your account photo I'd say your line of thinking is just fine. Constantly questioning things and not believing ever piece of BS the lib-saturated media spews out is what every intelligent mind should do. Sorry, I'm getting off topic but it has to be said more often.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Jack up one rear tire, put trans in neutral and try to turn the wheel by hand. The more resistance you get the better shape your LSD is in. If the one wheel turns pretty free the clutches are most likely worn.
Chock the front wheel(s) so the truck doesn't fall off the jack.
Chock the front wheel(s) so the truck doesn't fall off the jack.
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