Limited slip works on ice!

[betterthanstock]

I found the perfect ice patch in a parking lot, skating rink quality. About 40 ft long, with one straight side. I maneuvered with the passenger side wheels on the ice, driver's side on dry blacktop.

When I started normally in 2wd, it went like there was no ice. I backed up again and gunned it, and yes it spun one tire. I then backed up again in 4wd and was able to start quickly with no spin.



I use Mobil 1 from freightliner dealer, has about 34K on that oil.

No complaints about OEM LSD here.

 

[AH64ID]

Nope, none here either. . . works better than any other LSD. . . and it wont walk on ice like others will.

 

[courierdog]

Well I can tell you that the new AAM anti slip rear end does work very well and consistent.
On ice if you take it real easy then it goes straight ahead.
Give it a little more fuel and it will slip a little to the right then move to the left and straighten out.
When backing up on ice it is the same.
If there is any restriction like trying to back up over a driveway then both wheels may spin at low RPM, the truck stays in a straight line.
On icy road conditions the truck is very stable and predictable.
In snow it is unstoppable
Braking is reliable and predictable.

 

[BHenn]

These posts have me curious.....

My 2006 window sticker claims to have the LSD, but driving the truck I would swear it is an open dif. I can't hardly get out of the parking lot at work without engaging 4WD. The truck won't go anywhere in 2WD. I just assumed the LSD in these trucks was not worth a hoot. Tell me, what is the easiest way to tell if I truly have LSD. I now it is on the sticker as having one, but my truck sure sounds like it acts differently that yours... . I can't hardly move forward on flat ground that is snow/ice packed.



Brent

 

[betterthanstock]

My 2006 window sticker claims to have the LSD, but driving the truck I would swear it is an open dif. I can't hardly get out of the parking lot at work without engaging 4WD. The truck won't go anywhere in 2WD. I just assumed the LSD in these trucks was not worth a hoot. Tell me, what is the easiest way to tell if I truly have LSD. I now it is on the sticker as having one, but my truck sure sounds like it acts differently that yours... . I can't hardly move forward on flat ground that is snow/ice packed.



Brent

I read all these claims of it being worthless, that's why when I saw that ice, I couldn't resist but test it. It has never let me down before, in sand, gravel, etc, but this mixture of dry pavement and smooth ice was my first such test. Maybe having 61K miles helped too, since it's broken in.



The easiest way is to put one rear wheel on ice, in 2wd. If you can drive away without getting stuck, it works. But some differentials have a little less "bias" built in, perhaps due to it not being broken in yet. They may need a little help from the parking brake to get it working.



If you suspect you got shipped a wrong part, you can always take off the rear cover and look. It's best if a diff. expert takes a look at it too. The LSD carrier is more complex, it's not as open as your regular differential.

 

[steved]

Compared to the D70's Power-Loc or the D80's Trac-Loc, this AAM LSD sucks IME.

I've owned all three.

I do not like an LSD that is unpredictable... the AAM is very unpredictable, you never know if it will work or not work. At least with the pre-loaded clutch pack-style LSDs, you knew they were "engaged" before you started on a trip.

I'd take a Power-Loc or Trac-Loc over this AAM any day.

steved

 

[FOXY005]

Found this on another Diesel site, and thought it would be of interest to all 3rd Gen Owners with LSD's









The following is a S. T. A. R. Center Case Report:

Report created Jan 6 2004

Updated Jan 13 2004



Customer says his trac-rite rear diff is not working?

GCK1: 01/06/2004

Recommendation/Solution

Review AAM Trac-rite diff characteristics. Rear diff is working or truck wouldn't move. It will overrun like standard diff if operating on extreme differernces in surfaces. (Ice under one rear tire with other tire on dry pavement. ) No further action.

:GCKI:01/06/2004

The 2003 heavey-duty Ram uses and American Axle helical differential or Trac-Rite. The Trac_Rite differential is different then Trac-Lok in that it uses helical gears (Trac-Lok uses clutches) to transfer power to the opposite wheel when slippage occurs. The transfer of power from wheel to wheel is torque sensitive and must have both wheels spinning (not stationary) to function. It is possible for the Trac-Rite differential to not send power to a wheel if is not spinning. Example: Accelerating from as stop and one wheel is on ice and the other on dry pavement. If accelerating to fast, the wheel on the ice may spin and never send power to the whell on the pavement side. A slower start may be necessary to start the vehicles momentum.

A written test procedure for Trac-Rite is not listed in the repair manual and the following points should be noted:

Testing the Trac-Rite differential while the vehicle is lifted and turning one wheel by hand, the opposite wheel will turn in the opposite direction. This is normal.

If the Trac-Rite assembly has and internal failure it will lock axles 100% side to side.

To test the Trac-Rite process, raise vehicle on appropriate lift, place into gear and accelerate quickly (hard launch). A second technician will witness both wheels turning at the same speed at the start of the acceleration.

Another test for Trac-Rite is to slowly drive vehicle in an open area and completely turn wheels to one direction and accelerate hard. . The vehicle will experience tire hop or shudder. This is normal. Trac-Rite differentials do not require friction modifier and should be used only with SAE75W-90 GL-5 synthetic fluid PN 05102232AA.

The Trac-Rite differential found in the American Axles may look like the helical gears have ground away the case. Six small half circles are noticable on the side of the differential opposite of the ring gear. These openings are desinged for oil flow and are not the result of the helical gears grinding through the differential. Please do not replace the differential case or any other part of the axle due to these openings.

Note: All American Axles require Mopar lube part# 05102232AA synthetic and does not use a friction modifier.

RAB40: 01/13/2004

 

[AH64ID]

I do not like an LSD that is unpredictable...

I agree 100%

the AAM is very unpredictable, you never know if it will work or not work. At least with the pre-loaded clutch pack-style LSDs, you knew they were "engaged" before you started on a trip.

I disagree 200%. I think the AAM is more predictable than any LSD I have driven. It doesn't walk on off camber ice like others, and unless you apply too much power it tracks straight. I have found the clutch LSD's to load up and engage at will, especially on off camber icy roads.

 

[steved]

I have found the clutch LSD's to load up and engage at will, especially on off camber icy roads.

How can a clutch LSD, that's got 100% preload on it "load up" and "engage at will"???



I've had both the Trac-Loc and Power-Loc apart, there is no "engagement", they are both preloaded 100% of the time. They can only slip the clutches, not apply traction like an on/off switch.



We are not talking an AAM Gov-Loc, we are talking clutch-style LSDs...



steved

 

[AH64ID]

Yeah clutch style LSD's... they "lock" up when you dont want them to, i. e. snow/ice, and dont do crap when you want them to, i. e. mud, dirt, etc. They are unpredictable at best as to when they will "lockup" and when they won't... do some reading on LSD's on some of the offroad forums, the only ones that guys say to run are the Detroit TT, which is the same design as the AAM. Everything else is just a waste of money and traction.

I will not own a rig that has a clutch style LSD, sure I could learn to drive it, but why where there are much better options.

 

[steved]

You have no idea what you're talking about in regards to a Dodge Power-Loc or Trac-Loc. There is no engagement in either a Power-Loc or Trac-Loc... they are engaged 100% of the time, and only slip when the friction of the clutches are overcome... you don't need "power" or drive input to engage them, they are engaged sitting in the driveway with the trans in park. They do not magically engage driving down the road.

Obviously you've never had one apart, owned a rig with a clutch-type LSD, or seen how they operate.

And a Tru-Trac is similar, but not the same as the AAM Trac-Rite. The Trac-Rites still have clutches, they are called "shoes" in breakdowns... Tru-Trac doesn't have clutches.

Have you ever had a Power-Loc, Trac-Loc, or Trac-Rite apart?

Your magical "engagement" is characteristics of a Gov-Loc, which WAS NOT USED in ANY dodge product. And the Gov-Loc is not solely a clutch-type LSD.

steved

 

[DCreed]

I prefer the clutch type LSD's as they are "tunable" in that you can have it set-up from 20-100% locked ,depending on the set-up. That way if you're towing or sweat milage where there is no snow and dont wont chatter 50% or less is good. But you can go to full grip for a weekend at the track or the trails. All you need do is arrange the clutches as needed. Most off roaders I know like full lockers which act nothing like the trac-rite as they need REAL 4 wheel drive if you have 1 or 2 wheels off the ground.