Positive vs Limited Slip
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Dallas USA
Positive vs Limited Slip
Can someone explain the difference between Positive slip and Limited slip? I hear that one will lock the second wheel when the first slips and the other will drive both until a turn causes a wheel to need to slip. Is this true? Which one is considered better and more "tire friendly?"
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Positive vs Limited Slip
If you're thinking Posi-Traction and limited slip.
GM's term is "Posi-Traction" and Ford's Term is "Limited Slip".
Mopar's I think is " Traction-Lock "
They all mean *traction with Both wheels* instead of transferring the torque from One wheel to the Other wheel.
Dennis
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
GM's term is "Posi-Traction" and Ford's Term is "Limited Slip".
Mopar's I think is " Traction-Lock "
They all mean *traction with Both wheels* instead of transferring the torque from One wheel to the Other wheel.
Dennis
Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions As:
"I'm Saving Up MY Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's"
78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
Likes: 6
From: Kansas
Positive vs Limited Slip
I do not care for limited slip. In my experiance it is almost worthless. That's my opinion. For most though, it is easier on the rear axle gears. Most people probably would not be able to tell a difference in tire life between the two.
If you drive on the street you probably don't need posi-trac unless you are cranking out big horses. For getting off-road or doing 4X4, I'll take the posi-trac.
With limited slip, it is supposed to send power to the wheel that has traction. Yea, maybe with both wheels in mud or snow on level ground. For me it just hasn't worked, even with use of the brake to get it to switch sides.
Pos-trac can break lose more easily on ice. Meaning a limited slip is more stable on ice than posi. Not sure why that is but I can vouch for it being touchy on ice.
With the clutchs that they install now on the rear axle (to save your spider gears) gear life should be ok with posi unless you are determined to do a lot of doughnuts or burn outs around corners.
If you drive on the street you probably don't need posi-trac unless you are cranking out big horses. For getting off-road or doing 4X4, I'll take the posi-trac.
With limited slip, it is supposed to send power to the wheel that has traction. Yea, maybe with both wheels in mud or snow on level ground. For me it just hasn't worked, even with use of the brake to get it to switch sides.
Pos-trac can break lose more easily on ice. Meaning a limited slip is more stable on ice than posi. Not sure why that is but I can vouch for it being touchy on ice.
With the clutchs that they install now on the rear axle (to save your spider gears) gear life should be ok with posi unless you are determined to do a lot of doughnuts or burn outs around corners.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Positive vs Limited Slip
>GM's term is "Posi-Traction" and Ford's Term is "Limited
>Slip".
>Mopar's I think is " Traction-Lock "
FYI...Ford is called "Trac-Lok"
Mopar just calls it "anti-spin".
GM is indeed "Posi-traction".
They are all versions of a limited slip. Power is transfered back and forth to the one with the highest traction. Hence, you have limited slip. A true locked axle powers both wheels equally at all speeds and even around corners (not good). True locked axles have their place, I don't think it's on the street, however. If you need assurance of traction in low traction conditions opt for an aftermarket limited slip. Factory units are notoriously weak for any aggressive 4 wheeling although for road driving in snow and other such weather, they can be better than just an open axle. Check out some websites that manufacture axle components to find out more.
Detroit, Auburn gear...there are lots out there.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Positive vs Limited Slip
Correction - Ford has a few names one of which is TRACTION LOK not trac-lok as I stated earlier. My bad...that is for their axles.
dana axles refers to it as power-lok, truetrac or tractech.
dana axles refers to it as power-lok, truetrac or tractech.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mil1ion
General NON-Automotive Conversation
9
Jan 28, 2002 12:29 AM
Greywolf
General NON-Automotive Conversation
1
Dec 31, 2001 11:02 PM
