what are these doing in the diff?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
what are these doing in the diff?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=20828
1988 f150, 4x4 302 ci auto
rear end/LS 4.10 front 4.09
bought the truck a year ago, decided to change the fluid in the diff, when wiping out the fluid, these two metal tabs were in a trough on the bottom of the
differential? what are these?
my dad said they look like clutch tabs for the gears...has what appears to be
clutch like matrial on them on the ends.
there was NO metalic discoloration to the oil, it stunk to high heaven though!
from the pictures taken, is this a factory detroit locker?
thank you
1988 f150, 4x4 302 ci auto
rear end/LS 4.10 front 4.09
bought the truck a year ago, decided to change the fluid in the diff, when wiping out the fluid, these two metal tabs were in a trough on the bottom of the
differential? what are these?
my dad said they look like clutch tabs for the gears...has what appears to be
clutch like matrial on them on the ends.
there was NO metalic discoloration to the oil, it stunk to high heaven though!
from the pictures taken, is this a factory detroit locker?
thank you
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Your rear differential appears to be a Ford Traction-Loc limited slip unit. They are a decent traction aid from the factory, but not as aggresive as a Detroit Locker. The tabs you have appear to be ears from the clutch disks inside the trac-loc unit. For whatever reason, they're not attached to their respective clutch disks... 
It shouldn't present a problem in everyday driving as long as no pieces are floating around in the oil. When it bothers you enough, carefully remove the centersection, keep track of all the shims, and rebuild the traction loc unit. Should be about $70 in parts. Be sure to add friction modifier to the lube or the clutches will squeak - that's what smells so much.
It shouldn't present a problem in everyday driving as long as no pieces are floating around in the oil. When it bothers you enough, carefully remove the centersection, keep track of all the shims, and rebuild the traction loc unit. Should be about $70 in parts. Be sure to add friction modifier to the lube or the clutches will squeak - that's what smells so much.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> it stunk to high heaven though
Sounds like normal gear oil. Looks like pieces from the Limited Slip clutch packs. If that is all you have found, I would not worry about it too much. Probably was done a long time ago.
Sounds like normal gear oil. Looks like pieces from the Limited Slip clutch packs. If that is all you have found, I would not worry about it too much. Probably was done a long time ago.
clutches missing in diff?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
You'll get better traction in the snow, but a working limited slip will make it harder to control the vehicle. With a limited slip, if you spin the wheels on snow, BOTH rear wheels are spinning, and the truck has nothing keeping the rear in place. With an open differential if one wheel spins it gets all the power, and the other wheel can help you keep it in on the road.
There's no such thing as a factory detroit locker - just the trac-lock.
There's no such thing as a factory detroit locker - just the trac-lock.
