Limited slip not working?
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: South Bend, IN
Limited slip not working?
I'm new to this forum and I have a question about my LS. It's not working. Is this even possible? Does anyone know if this can be repaired or replaced, and what might cause this? The truck has 89000 miles, is this quick for this to happen?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Limited slip not working?
What do you mean "Not working"?
If you mean it chatters when you are in a tight turn, probably the only problem you have is you might need a fluid change and or some limited slip additive. Most trucks diffs seem to need two tubes of the additive(I think total is 1 pt). Ford trucks do require the additive, and it should be included in proportion when topping it up.
At 89,000 miles you may or may not need a change. I would go with a change and besure to take a good look in the drain pan and the diff case and the magnet to see what ya got. You should see light greyish fuzz on the magnet, and maybe a few(2 or 3) rice sized metal chips(None is better). In the drain pan if the fluid is shallow enough(Dump some out if you can't see) you might expect small pepper sized flakes. The fluid should at most be dark honey color. Black might mean trouble or too many miles.
If chatter isn't the problem and your rear acts like an open differential(spins only one tire) or both tires are locked in step, then you may have more problems than a fluid change and additive can help.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
If you mean it chatters when you are in a tight turn, probably the only problem you have is you might need a fluid change and or some limited slip additive. Most trucks diffs seem to need two tubes of the additive(I think total is 1 pt). Ford trucks do require the additive, and it should be included in proportion when topping it up.
At 89,000 miles you may or may not need a change. I would go with a change and besure to take a good look in the drain pan and the diff case and the magnet to see what ya got. You should see light greyish fuzz on the magnet, and maybe a few(2 or 3) rice sized metal chips(None is better). In the drain pan if the fluid is shallow enough(Dump some out if you can't see) you might expect small pepper sized flakes. The fluid should at most be dark honey color. Black might mean trouble or too many miles.
If chatter isn't the problem and your rear acts like an open differential(spins only one tire) or both tires are locked in step, then you may have more problems than a fluid change and additive can help.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 49
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From: South Bend, IN
Limited slip not working?
By not working I mean it acts like an open diff. I got the truck not too long ago and I wasn't sure if it had a LS or not so I checked the tag and even jacked up the back too check, and it is a LS. Can this be fixed and what cost would it take? Can I do it myself?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Connecticut
Limited slip not working?
You probably ought to try the fluid change before you move on to more expensive options. What have you got to lose, a few bucks on some decent gear oil and additive? Just be sure to use exactly what Ford reccomends for fluid (type and weight). And don't let some quick lube shop tell you that "the additve is already in there" if you decide to get it done that way. The limited slip additive is VERY important (learned from experience).
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Oregon
Limited slip not working?
With that many miles it is probably just wor out. All a Limited Slip is, is some clutch plates. If you drive on a lot of gravle roads it wears it out faster. Try the additive and tell us how it works. Because I have never put any in mine. That is the reason fot LS's, so they act like an open diff. on the street and around corners. Then in slick and slippery conditions where tire spin happens they lock up and lock the tires together.
Lars
Lars
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 541
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From: Victoria, Texas
Limited slip not working?
If you end up determining that you need to rebuild the unit, get ahold of MustangGT221, who usually hangs out in the 93 truck forum. He has rebuilt his, and used 2 more plates than stock to be more aggressive. He can tell you what you need to know as far as rebuilding goes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,903
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From: Copley, OH
Limited slip not working?
To test the LS:
Jack up 1 rear wheel only, leave the other on the ground, put the tranny in neutral. Put a beam-type torque wrench on one of your lug nuts on the riased wheel and pull. See how many ft-lbs. it will take before the clutches in the diff slip and alow the wheel to turn. The Ford shop manual says rebuild if it won't hold 20 ft-lbs, which seems VERY low to me. The Auburn in my Mustang will hold over 95 ft-lbs (I can torque the lugs with the wheels in the air.)
Jack up 1 rear wheel only, leave the other on the ground, put the tranny in neutral. Put a beam-type torque wrench on one of your lug nuts on the riased wheel and pull. See how many ft-lbs. it will take before the clutches in the diff slip and alow the wheel to turn. The Ford shop manual says rebuild if it won't hold 20 ft-lbs, which seems VERY low to me. The Auburn in my Mustang will hold over 95 ft-lbs (I can torque the lugs with the wheels in the air.)
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