Limited Slip Tech
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 51
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From: Newberg, OR
Limited Slip Tech
I posted my first thread last week and was impressed with the response. Thanx for all the info...
My new question is this... Does anyone know what how the limited slip differential is configured on our trucks? I have an '04 F250. I also have a Mustang with an 8.8 & it has clutch packs that need replaced ever so often. Is it the same on my truck?
My new question is this... Does anyone know what how the limited slip differential is configured on our trucks? I have an '04 F250. I also have a Mustang with an 8.8 & it has clutch packs that need replaced ever so often. Is it the same on my truck?
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Expected by whom? 
Ford does not specify any change interval in any manual I've seen. Replacement is only when the part(s) becomes defective.
Most who have the Trak-Loc from Ford says that it is defective upon purchase of the truck.
But the one my F150 works flawlessly. That being said I still will not put one in my Excursion next week when the gears get changed.
Ford does not specify any change interval in any manual I've seen. Replacement is only when the part(s) becomes defective.
Most who have the Trak-Loc from Ford says that it is defective upon purchase of the truck.
But the one my F150 works flawlessly. That being said I still will not put one in my Excursion next week when the gears get changed.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Some ls units a few yrs ago made it out of the factory with not enough friction modifier in them.Also some had the wrong shims in them behind the clutch packs.
Most shop manuals from ford say 100,000 miles fluid should be changed
Its like anything else if you maintain it it will last if you beat on it,it won't :-
X10 When you get these laughs from Monsta watch out!
He's up to something.
Rich
Most shop manuals from ford say 100,000 miles fluid should be changed
Its like anything else if you maintain it it will last if you beat on it,it won't :-
X10
When you get these laughs from Monsta watch out! He's up to something.
Rich
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
From: Denmark, SC
Is there a certain year of F250 that had this problem???
I have a 2004 F250 6.0l and it has the limited slip rearend in it, but it only has positive traction while on dirt or wet pavement.
Thanks for the help.
I have a 2004 F250 6.0l and it has the limited slip rearend in it, but it only has positive traction while on dirt or wet pavement.
Thanks for the help.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
It's not that it's a defective unit, it's just not the most EFFECTIVE ls in the world. Any clutch pack setup is gonna wear out, eventually. It's all in how the truck is used / abused.
A normally street driven truck that gets used for towing and daily driving should not expect any problems with it. Now, the person that off-roads the truck or uses it in a slightly more spirited manner, can expect the clutch packs to wear out over time and require a rebuild.
The problems lies in the the clutches break away weight. This means that it only has so much holding power and then it will spin one tire. When it does this, it's tearing up the clutch packs. Now look at an LS like the Trutrac, that is gear driven, and there is no break away and there are no clutch packs to wear out. Yes, you'll pay more for it, but it will give much better performance than a clutch type LS.
Or you go big and get the selectable units (ARB, Electrac, ECTED, etc) and get the best of both worlds.
A normally street driven truck that gets used for towing and daily driving should not expect any problems with it. Now, the person that off-roads the truck or uses it in a slightly more spirited manner, can expect the clutch packs to wear out over time and require a rebuild.
The problems lies in the the clutches break away weight. This means that it only has so much holding power and then it will spin one tire. When it does this, it's tearing up the clutch packs. Now look at an LS like the Trutrac, that is gear driven, and there is no break away and there are no clutch packs to wear out. Yes, you'll pay more for it, but it will give much better performance than a clutch type LS.
Or you go big and get the selectable units (ARB, Electrac, ECTED, etc) and get the best of both worlds.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Most ls units will last the life of the truck if taken care of.
These other units talked about can cost big $ and can be a night mare to drive in snow and ice.
Rich
These other units talked about can cost big $ and can be a night mare to drive in snow and ice.
Rich
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
Originally Posted by FortyFords
These other units talked about can cost big $ and can be a night mare to drive in snow and ice.
ANY traction aid makes ice tricky. Lockers are a pain in the butt, but an LS unit if used within reason and a relatively light foot are not that bad. Too many folks have a misconception that adding turning tires on ice will help out. Yes, it will get you moving faster, but the steering and braking are jsut as bad.
Lockers - bad on ice
LS - not too bad if used within reason
Open dif - Keeps ya going straight, if you can get going at all.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by BFR250SD
It's not that it's a defective unit, it's just not the most EFFECTIVE ls in the world.
Some have had some luck changing the fluid and putting less friction modifier in it, but in my mind, that's only going to work for a while before it wears out anyway.
If you have a real need for a true "locker" get an air-driven locker (like ARB) or if you just want a heavier clutch-type limited-slip, get an Auburn (but than you have to change the oil a lot).
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
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From: Phenix City, AL
Originally Posted by krewat
If you have a real need for a true "locker" get an air-driven locker (like ARB) or if you just want a heavier clutch-type limited-slip, get an Auburn (but than you have to change the oil a lot).
As far as LSD's though, I like the Detroit TruTrac. It's an LSD, but it's all gear driven. No clutches, no cones, nothing to wear, and you don't need special fluids in it. You can set it up to how much biasing you want based on the driving you do. The best thing about it is, you will always have both tires turning in loose / no traction conditions.
It's not a full locker, so you don't get all the bad / annoying street characteristics, but you still get the advantages off-road.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
From: Denmark, SC
I bought my 04 F250 truck used this year 2/05, with only 6400 miles. I believe the previous owner abused the truck, because the right rear tire was worn more than the left one. I know the rear end should stay in posi trac all the time (or most of the time)with this little amount of miles on it. So I am going to try to get the Ford dealer to replace the clutch packs.
I didn't know if Ford had a defective run of differentials.
Thanks
I didn't know if Ford had a defective run of differentials.
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Originally Posted by Hardrock_F250
I bought my 04 F250 truck used this year 2/05, with only 6400 miles. I believe the previous owner abused the truck, because the right rear tire was worn more than the left one. I know the rear end should stay in posi trac all the time (or most of the time)with this little amount of miles on it. So I am going to try to get the Ford dealer to replace the clutch packs.
I didn't know if Ford had a defective run of differentials.
Thanks
I didn't know if Ford had a defective run of differentials.
Thanks
4L.XX or 3L.XX
Not all trucks have a Limited Slip differential.
Rich