tips on rearends

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Dec 23, 2006 | 09:09 AM

#31

helirich

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The only way that the power transfers back and forth on a limited slip is if your traction alternates as you go back. They work by tightening the spider gear clutches when you apply power. What usally happens is one wheel slips and you have to apply so much power to get the other wheel to turn slowly to "walk you out" . The problem is the wheel that is slipping is spinning like crazy and is doing nothing to get you going. With a locker, you can just about idle and both wheels (or all four)turn slow and "walk you out" I drove a limited slip lots in the snow. But, I have never plowed snow. I'm not sure I understand why a locker would be bad for plowing. Please explain.

Dec 24, 2006 | 04:51 PM

#32

Aciancio

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From: Broken Arrow

On a ford limited slip if one wheel starts "spinning like crazy" the diff. will disconnect that axle and transfer all power to the other side and back if that one spins for too long

Dec 25, 2006 | 09:34 AM

#33

helirich

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I have completly disassembled a Ford limited slip sevral times. The way it works, as you apply power, the clutches get tighter. It doesnt take much power to spin a wheel on glare ice, so the clutches dont create much drag no matter how long it spins. Of course, when you really put your foot in it, it takes a fair amount of power to spin it at say 60 mph. (Heavy tires do better.) Then, the clutches grab and it will turn the other wheel. If you goose it, the extra power needed to excellerate the wheel will apply more force to the clutches. At no time, will it "disconnect an axle". The older your diff, the more the clutches slip. (Thats why I rebuilt mine sevral times) If you want to check your clutches, jack up the rear (or front, if it has one) with it in neutral and turn one tire by hand. If the other tire turns the same direction, it's probubly ok. If the other tire doesnt turn, or turns the oppisite direction, the clutches are shot.

Jan 15, 2007 | 12:14 AM

#34

benshere

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From: Longwood, Fl

brake loading

A LS will usually slip one wheel slightly under light pressure. If you are in anything real slippery (boat ramps or snow) and starting off, apply the brakes slightly and come into the throttle very easy and stay easy until clear. This will usually make both tires pull without breaking loose and getting wild at either.

Jan 16, 2007 | 06:43 PM

#35

bossind

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From: Oromocto NB

A limited slip or positraction differential typically uses some form of clutches that bind up the differential, providing traction to the both tires. The clutches will slip to some extent to allow tires to turn at different speeds on corners. Some limited slip differentials are more aggressive than others, and some can be set up or "pre-loaded" more or less aggressively. Limited slip units require a special gear oil additive and may chatter when turning. Clutch packs may also wear with time and require replacement.

Now I don't know how worn out your limited slips are, but mine will certainly slip both wheels just as easily as the my new locker will in the snow, ice, mud, gravel. If your stuck in snow, a limited slip always spun both wheels due to low traction, the brake methoid is only required on open diffs and really worn out limited slips.

Jan 16, 2007 | 07:20 PM

#36

benshere

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From: Longwood, Fl

bossind--
You are right about the braking on most ls's with spring loaded clutch packs. I was really thinking about a LS that came in a Dana 70 several years ago. I cant remember what it was called, but it had a cross pin that sat in a "V" groove in the carrier housing. Because of the "v" the clutch packs were not applied in normal driving, but when the speed of one axle was faster because one tire had traction the pin would ride up the V and apply the clutches to lock up.

My brother had a 76 460 club wagon with that LS in it. If he had one tire on pavement and one tire in slick grass, for example, he would get some spin. If he wanted no spin with the least amount of fuss, he would apply the brakes lightly and the loading of the carrier would lock the clutches. Dont recall the name of the LS, and may not have explained it correctly, but that was the way it worked and it probably was a Dana design.

Jan 17, 2007 | 03:20 PM

#37

poffutt

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From: Houston

I have ARB lockers front and rear with 4 10 diffs. Last night here in houston it is rainning and freezing for about 4 days now. About 2 in the morning after my girlfriend and I closed down a bar we went for some good Offroading. Man was it wet :-) and muddy. I had the bronco fully locked front and rear in 4 wheel low. We hit a field that had about 3" of water covering it for miles. No regular 4X4 could have went through this field with out lockers. I was digging 6" ruts with all 4 tires the whole way and going through 4 foot ditches with about 3' of water running through them. We had a blast. Since I have lockers...I would be scared to death offroading on regulaur 4X4. If you ever get lockers you will never be saticfied with anything eles. It turns your truck into a tank.

Jan 18, 2007 | 09:00 AM

#38

lostin90s

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From: Central PA

I use locker in all my trucks . A limited slip is just that 1 spins 1 dosen't . Lot less stress with locker. But in a bronco with good limited and all wieght on back go fine . If didnt have lift you could use coils from F350 2x4 a 7.5 plow no problem . I drive 500+ mile week in allweather and no problem. They do push you if its slippery slow down. an auburn unit might work better becuase locker cuts down on turning raise .Hope you figure out what want.