Install limited slip differential.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Ace!, what's funny is I've never heard of this trick being used on open differentials.
On the limited-slip, YES! The owner's manual even says something about doing that. WITH THE LIMITED-SLIP - not the open one.
But anything's worth a shot when you're stuck!
On the limited-slip, YES! The owner's manual even says something about doing that. WITH THE LIMITED-SLIP - not the open one.
But anything's worth a shot when you're stuck!
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
To be perfectly honest, it's marginal at best, at least has been for me. It's sort of the same thing a limited slip is doing, in theory, but obviously with different sized parts that aren't designed for it. For me, once I'm stuck, it's usually too late. Another thing, you can damage the brake parts with the e-brake engaged and giving it throttle. I know it can bend parts, the backing plates (I think it's the backing plates) on a Jeep 
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
One other thing in re the e-brake trick...if you're using the brakes you're using the front brakes against yourself. The e-brake is only on the rear, so your front brakes aren't holding you back. This may be why it doesn't seem to work at all for some people. Don't use the brakes, use the e-brake.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 804
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB
Originally Posted by 05SDDiesel
You apply your emergency brakes and it will help give the other wheel torque.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential2.htm
Traction control isn't designed to fix open differential flaws. It is to prevent the driver from spinning their wheels in slippery conditions. You have cars with limited slip that have traction control.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential2.htm
Traction control isn't designed to fix open differential flaws. It is to prevent the driver from spinning their wheels in slippery conditions. You have cars with limited slip that have traction control.
An open diff always applies its power to the wheel with the least resistance. When you are stuck and not moving and one tire is spinning only, so obviously no power is going to the other wheel or it would be spinning too (dont cite the Ford LS here cause it slips excessivly and can be cured of that).
If you have 1 wheel with 1000lb of traction and the other has 100lb and then you apply 1000lb of braking to each wheel it will still spin the same wheel as it now has 1100lb of resistance to the 2000lb on the high traction wheel. Open diffs always spin the easiest wheel, if they didnt we would need LS & Lockers.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 804
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From: Edmonton, AB
I will add that the E-Brake trick could work in rare situations, that being if the traction differential is minimal between the two wheels and the side that should be spinning has more traction such as the right wheel when trying to go forward.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
Be careful using the SD e-brake - it's NOT AN EMERGENCY BRAKE.
It's only a parking brake.
However, Ford does say to use it to try to get the Ford Traction-Lok to lockup.
It's only a parking brake.
However, Ford does say to use it to try to get the Ford Traction-Lok to lockup.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2007
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Originally Posted by 05SDDiesel
You have cars with limited slip that have traction control.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Rancho Cucamonga USA
It's only money; put in an ARB locker and don't worry about the parking brake or how much traction either wheel has<Grin>! Plus you get a decent little air compressor to air up with. I don't know about the effect on the warranty but it wouldn't be any different than adding an LS.
Having that huge 5th wheel would really make me lean to a locker than an LS. I used to get stuck towing my tag trailer in the sand. Now it isn't a problem. I did both axles with ARBs. This link has some good tips on airing down.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ght=rikosintie
Michael
Having that huge 5th wheel would really make me lean to a locker than an LS. I used to get stuck towing my tag trailer in the sand. Now it isn't a problem. I did both axles with ARBs. This link has some good tips on airing down.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ght=rikosintie
Michael
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by rikosintie
It's only money; put in an ARB locker and don't worry about the parking brake or how much traction either wheel has<Grin>!
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by KelVarnson
Are you sure about that? My understanding of most active traction control systems is that they apply the brake on the spinning wheel, which will then transfer power to the one that isn't spinning. Kinda need an open differential in order to accomplish that. Seems like a limited slip would work against that.
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