Why does an AWD need a LS differential?

Doesn't it send power to the wheels with the best traction anyway?

 

Since stability control became standard equipment, LS differentials aren't offered.

Steve

 

I am not a pro, but what I understand about LS diffs with AWD (like I have on our 96 Explorer) is the LS diff shares a percentage of the power between each 4 wheels. This is helpful when cornering, since the inside and outside wheels track on a different arc, and in slippery conditions to prevent one of the wheels from spinning.

I hope I explained this okay, maybe someone out here can clear this up better than I did.

 

caseys has it exactly right.

 

I'm thinking about getting a 98 mountaineer.

If they don't have LS then are you saying the AWD can still let wheels with less traction spin? I thought the AWD did something similiar to LS anyway and would send power to the wheel with the best traction?

 

two examples-- i have a F150 4 x 4. it has LS rear end. the LS clutch will allow the left rear and righ treat wheels to turn about 20% different speed so i can turn corners, but it will not let one tire turn 50% faster than the other, like when you are stuck in snow or mud. The front axle does not have a clutch so if one tire is slipping, only the other will drive. So basically my 4 x 4 is a 3 wheel dirve. without the LS chutch i would have one wheel in the front and one in the back driving if i was stuck.---------- now i have a 2002 Explorer with all wheel drive. It basically lets the back axle do the work and monitors the speed relative to the front wheels. if the back end is going lets say 20% faster than the front wheel, then the front end is engaged and it pulls also. The front end is not constantly engaged. I dont think the back alxe can adjust the power from side to side as there is no LS clutch in it.---------- Now if you had a real automatic traction control, the computer would monitor all 4 wheels speed and send additonal power to the ones that were not rotating fast as the others.. Is there a production Explorer that has that??

 

another example: we have a valley park here in cleveland that has big hills to get out.

during a moderate snowfall a ranger pickup with 4x2 and ls could barely move a foot before it started sliding sideways.

after i watched, amused for awhile, i just accelerated my f150 4x2 without ls right by the ranger

took him probably a half hour to get up the hill.