Does limited slip work in reverse?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Does limited slip work in reverse?
I was backing my 02 Super Duty 4X4 up a hill in the wet grass to hook up to my trailer when the right rear wheel started spinning. I had the truck in 4 low and I think I may have a vacuum leak to the front hubs that was keeping the front wheels from pushing me on up the hill, but I felt the back tire should not have spun unless maybe the limited slip rear ends in these trucks are not designed to function in reverse? The truck just sat there spinning the right rear wheel and would not go anywhere. Does anybody have any first hand knowledge of what should have happened in this situation if everything had been working properly since I'm not that knowledgeable on 4 wheel drive/limited slip?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: NorCal
Yes, the limited slip should have worked whether going forward or reverse, it doesn't matter.
You probably have the usual problem with the factory limited slip, the clutches are worn too much for it to operate correctly. The factory limited slip wears out very fast, mine only lasted 1-2 years working correctly.
If you are in that situation again, try holding one foot on the brake giving it light pressure while accelerating at the same time, this sometimes helps to load the limited slip and makes it work a little better.
You probably have the usual problem with the factory limited slip, the clutches are worn too much for it to operate correctly. The factory limited slip wears out very fast, mine only lasted 1-2 years working correctly.
If you are in that situation again, try holding one foot on the brake giving it light pressure while accelerating at the same time, this sometimes helps to load the limited slip and makes it work a little better.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
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From: SE Georgia
the brake trick works like a champ most times...I prefer to use the e-brake when doing that. engage the e-brake 1-3 clicks. you'll get the annoying chime/light of course
but yeah, the LS should work fwd or backward. heavy truck = wears out quickly
but yeah, the LS should work fwd or backward. heavy truck = wears out quickly
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
I'm assuming the front wasn't working properly either? Even if the rear wasn't working properly, if the front was I still should have had 3 of the 4 wheels pulling....right?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: near Montreal, Canada
My understanding(I am not a mechanic):
Front is always open diff. Rear was sometimes locking or LS on previous models; I think they are limited slip on 2011+.
So basically when everything works you get at most 2x4 if one of the front wheels slip or 3x4 if one of the back wheel slips. Now imagine that the limited slip is not working you could be stranded with just one front and one back wheel slipping.
Maybe there are some ABS magic at work to stop some wheels from slipping; other manufacturers do that. Never read about it from Ford's pickup.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
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From: SE Georgia
front axle is an open diff unless you've installed an aftermarket unit
so in reality, if you have a LS in the rear axle, while in 4x4 you are actually (sometimes) spinning 3 wheels
if no LS in the rear axle, you are only going to spin 2 wheels in 4x4
fun huh?
so in reality, if you have a LS in the rear axle, while in 4x4 you are actually (sometimes) spinning 3 wheels
if no LS in the rear axle, you are only going to spin 2 wheels in 4x4
fun huh?
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MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,606
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From: SE Georgia
not sure if this has made it's way to the Superduty line-up yet though
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From: Isanti, MN
I'm starting to wonder if there trucks are even legally permitted to be called 4x4.
My understanding(I am not a mechanic):
Front is always open diff. Rear was sometimes locking or LS on previous models; I think they are limited slip on 2011+.
So basically when everything works you get at most 2x4 if one of the front wheels slip or 3x4 if one of the back wheel slips. Now imagine that the limited slip is not working you could be stranded with just one front and one back wheel slipping.
My understanding(I am not a mechanic):
Front is always open diff. Rear was sometimes locking or LS on previous models; I think they are limited slip on 2011+.
So basically when everything works you get at most 2x4 if one of the front wheels slip or 3x4 if one of the back wheel slips. Now imagine that the limited slip is not working you could be stranded with just one front and one back wheel slipping.
They are truly 4WD, but the tractive force of both wheels on an axle will almost always be exactly the same. That one wheel on ice is providing the same amount of motivation that the other wheel is on dry pavement. But they both have power.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Home Base Nebraska
I've had 3 or 4 SRW limited slip rear ends in Ford trucks and they didn't really work in forward or reverse very well but I'm on my second DRW with Dana 80 limited slip and they work very well in both directions even after 130K in my last one.
Denny
Denny
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Thanks for all of the replies. I am really learning a lot about the rear axle on these trucks after reading these. The yard has dried out a little since my first attempt, so I'll try to get that trailer out again tomorrow. I will give the braking a try while pushing the accelerator trick you guys have suggested.
