I have an 06' 4x4 and I was wondering how limited slip works. My understanding was if one wheel looses traction (spins) , it will only slip for a short time before the other wheel engages. My technical terms may not be politically correct, but I think you can get my drift.

I ask because mine never seems to engage. Sometimes one tire is on ice while the other is not, but the free tire never seems to engage. Is it suppose to?

 

are you sure you have a limited slip diff?

what they actually use is a series of springs and clutch discs that prevent the side gears from turning at different rates. its somewhat of a rudimentary explanation but im tired lol. you can check the diff tag and it will say somewhere on it 3L73 or 3 73 if there is no L its not a limited slip diff. you can also check your door tag for the axle code

 

You can jack up the Dvr side of the rear diff and try to turn the wheel with a torque wrench and check the tension. There is a first tension break away force level and a continous turning force measurement. Just by hand it should be pretty tough to get it to turn...