'95 Bronco XLT - Where on the door frame label does it indicate if I have limited slip in back? Are the front diffs limited slip?

 

I believe if the axle code is two numbers, ie..19, it is an open diff., if it is a letter and a number, ie..H9, it is a LS. Not Sure how the tag relates to the front. You should be able to tell if the small metal tab is still attached to the front diff. The tab would say something like 3 55 ... for an open, and 3L55 for LS.

 

In the 90's, there was no metal tag on the D44IFS - it's a LARGE white sticker with a UPC on the back of the R axle beam.

 

Sorry, for some reason I thought it said '85. Yep. No tag.

 

i also had a question regarding the limited slip diff. my axle code is h9 so i thought i had a limited slip diff butt on the snow only one wheel spun.it was the left rear. i thought a limited slip diff was like a posi i guess i was wrong. can some one explain if this is how it is supposed to be or please explain how the limited slip does really work.

thanks

 

>i also had a question regarding the limited slip diff. my
>axle code is h9 so i thought i had a limited slip diff butt
>on the snow only one wheel spun.it was the left rear. i
>thought a limited slip diff was like a posi i guess i was
>wrong. can some one explain if this is how it is supposed to
>be or please explain how the limited slip does really work.

Ok, here goes. First of all, limited slip is a generic name for a type of part-time-locked differential. Positrac and TrakLok are GM's and Ford's (respectively) names for their specific limited slip type differentials. A limited slip works as an open differential until one wheel begins to spin. At this point, it locks the wheels together, transferring torque to the wheel that is not slipping. Some use clutch packs with springs, some are electronic, some are cone gears (like some auto transmissions). Ford's TrakLok is a clutch operated limited slip. If your sticker says you have a limited slip but you're getting open-type differential performance you may need to have those clutch packs replaced (or you can do it yourself - it doesnt actually involve taking the carrier out of the housing. dont have to worry about re-backspacing and all that.) They tend to wear out after about 30-40k miles.

But, of course, it is entirely possible that a previous owner had gearing work done and didnt specify to put a limited slip back in. You should consider whether or not you actually need a limited slip rear (because your front is traklok, they all came that way) and if youre in low-traction situations bad enough to spin your tires you'll probably be in four wheel drive anyway. if it bothers you though, or if you like having your truck work, go get it checked out. A competent mechanic will be able to tell you what sort of carrier you have back there, no matter what the sticker says. He should also be able to change those clutches out if it needs it (which I suspect it does.)

Hope that helps!

 

thanks for the info. just didnt understand. let me get this straight it will not hurt any tthing to drive with a limited slip that is not working correctly? how hard of a job is it to do i have a good understanding on auto repairs and if i dont understand i have nerve enough to try anything. do parts for this type of job cost a lot of money? front and rear tracloc does sound really good. and thats the way it was designed.
again thanks for the info

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Jan-03 AT 03:20 PM (EST)]It won't hurt it to run if its not locking, it just won't lock and transfer power when you slip. A worn out limited slip is the same as an open differential.

I don't really know how hard it is to replace those clutches because I've never done it. I just know that they can be replaced without removing the carrier from the housing. Parts shouldn't be too much. If I were you I'd go to a dealer to find out exactly what parts you need, and then find them somewhere else. You might also check randy's ring and pinion (www.ring-pinion.com). I know they sell carriers, they might sell refurbishing kits as well.

 

What are you guys smoking??? I have a 1990 Bronco it has a dana44 front axle and there is an ID Tag on it.:P :P

 

Not all front diffs are limited slip, even on trucks with rear L/S.

And a L/S is NOT a locking diff in any sense of the word - it never "locks" the wheels together; it merely creates some drag between them so they TEND to turn the same speed, but nothing like a locker. Some people merely add a clutch or 2 to create more drag on worn-out L/Ss, but the kit is only about $65 from Ford. Make SURE you use the "friction modifier" oil additive - that may be why yours isn't working well.

It was AROUND '90 (probably '92) that Dana stopped tagging the D44IFS and started using the sticker, but not IN '90.

 

My 89 has a factory LS in the rear, and it came open in the front. (I wish it had LS up there too.)

 

h
ey steve 83 was wondering if i added this friction modifier to the rear if it would harm anything and would it make the limited slip work properly. you also said parts are about65 $ but how hard of a job is it?also today i saw a toyota 4 runner climbing a snow covered hill and all four were spinning should the bronco do this if i truly had
front and rear tracloc rears.

hey spixican07 thank you for answering my questions

bob

 

Not necessarily. A limited slip isn't a full locking differential. A full locker remains locked at all times and releases when turning or not under load. Ever heard a truck of Jeep go around a corner and squeel their wheels when they weren't even on the gas? More than likely they have a rear locker.

The LS uses clutch packs, that only engage when the tires wheels slip unlike a fully locked differential which run locked and diengages it while turning. The Toyota you saw likely has full lockers in both differentials. Very natsy on ice and snow covered road if he drives like that. More than likely he has a selectable locker. some Toyotas came with electric lockers. Flip a switch and the locker engages. Turn it off and it becomes an open differential.

Just an FYI, you can sometimes fool your LS differential into engaging even if the clutch packs are worn, by gently applying the brake with the left foot as you accelerate. I would bet that this would work to see if you do in fact have a LS back there.

All of my experience comes from the rockcrawling world where full lockers or spools are a must in both the front and rear axles. If you live in snow or icy area though, I would recommend a good limited slip or selectable locker such as an ARB or OX locker. An ARB uses air to engage the locker at the flip of a switch. OX uses a cable. flip the handle to engage the locker. Both of these units are in the $700 range.

 

>Ever heard a truck of Jeep go around a corner and squeel their >wheels when they weren't even on the gas? More than likely they >have a rear locker.

Maybe your thinking of a spool? The locker is unlocked while coasting, I only get a tire chirp when under power in the corners.

As for the ice and snow, a locker is not much worse than a good, tight limited slip. The LS will also spin both tires equally on really slick roads.

The advantage of a locker on slick roads is the ability to unlock in the corners. If you let off the throttle with a LS, engine compression can start both rear tires sliding while the locker will only slide one of them.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Jan-03 AT 11:28 PM (EST)]A limited slip's clutches are ALWAYS engaged, as is a locker. They don't respond to the engine because they're not connected in any other way than thru the driveshaft, which just turns the diff carrier. The L/S or locker inside the diff can't detect whether or not the engine is making it turn or if it's just the wheels. The only kind of diff that CAN sense that is a "torque biasing" like the Tractech TrueTrac or the Zexel TorSen. You can find technical descriptions of both (AND l/s & lockers) by searching the net or by following the links in the "Diffinitions" post on the second page of this thread:
http://tellico.off-road.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=offroadfordbroncolate&Numb er=673392&page=9&view=expanded&sb=5&o=0#Post673392