Limited Slip Function

[brillmtb]

Is it true that the Dodge limited slip will not engage when one of the rear wheels is off the ground. I saw this on a Ford TV advertisement piece where they drove both trucks over an uneven section of concrete designed to lift one of the rear wheels.



They said the Ford could make it and it did but that the Limited SLip Dodge would not and it didnt.



I thought limited slip meant that when one wheel slips the other engages? No?

 

[DF5152]

what year trucks were they comparing. not sure how the mechanism(sp) in the new trucks work but the older one with the Auburn limited slip units should not have a problem making it. bothe wheel are esentialy lock untinl u make a turn and the torque of the outer wheel causes the clutch pack to brake freein the diff and allow the outer wheel spin faster. hence the turm limited slip. the newer units use helical gears to work i have seen them but not had a chance to play with one to find out how they work

 

[sdbelt]

I haven't checked the LS on my 03, but on my 95, the LS was not strong enough to overcome one tire completely off the ground. This is because the torque bias between the two wheels is too great, and the LS can't overcome that much bias. I highly suspect this will be the same with the 03.



However, you can help yourself out in this situation by engaging the parking brake. This will add some resistance to the tire in the air, and possible give you just enough to get moving. This works particularly well when driving on ice, or when driving a 2wd on any type of slippery condition.

 

[Posm]

The add I saw was a thirty minute GMC info-mercial where they drove the trucks over a concrete ditch at a 45 degree angle. I think that the 03 and newer trucks use the AAM axles, just like the GMC. They may have some type of additional locker or traction control though. The ferds use the dana axle, and that limited slip is not known for its strength, just as it was weak in the Dodges.

 

[EIvarson]

Helical gears? Does that mean it is a torsen (Quaiffe) or are there clutch plates in there?



Erik

 

[TBrennan]

With any LS the wheel with traction only gets percentage of the torque being utilized at the wheel with less resistance. Any percent of zero is zero.

 

[brillmtb]

Oops, your right, it was the GMC they were reviewing.



I think if chevy had the cummins motor they would have the best package overall.

 

[EIvarson]

From the two links below it looks like the limited slip unit has no clutches. That means it's the Torsen style which is funky to explain but it uses gears to limit the differential output so torque only goes to the slowest wheel. I still don't get what brake shoe technology has to do with it.





http://www.aam.com/technology/tech_prod_dl_diff.html

http://investor.aam.com/annual.cfm

(search the report for "Dodge")

 

[SSage]

GM is the only one that has a factory "locker/LS". The G80 or something, not a great unit if you like big tires IMHO. It also unlocks above 25 mph, most people will like that. Sucks on fast uphill dirt roads, but is good for 90% of the time in street use. The rest are LS, unless Ford has something new. So far the LS in my dodge is the best one yet, I run off road on the farm and it does a great job. Very smooth. I hope it holds up well.



The aftermarket has much better locker options like the OX, ARB, Detroit electric, but none for the AAMs yet. The detroits seem to last forever.

 

[DF5152]

Originally posted by EIvarson

From the two links below it looks like the limited slip unit has no clutches. That means it's the Torsen style which is funky to explain but it uses gears to limit the differential output so torque only goes to the slowest wheel. I still don't get what brake shoe technology has to do with it.





http://www.aam.com/technology/tech_prod_dl_diff.html

http://investor.aam.com/annual.cfm

(search the report for "Dodge")

by applying the E-brake yousupply some resistance to the free spining wheel whichin turn helps to supply power to the other wheel.



check this out. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential8.htm not sure if this is whats in the AAM axles

 

[MCharlebois]

anti spin

my truck said it came with an anti spin diff-same or different than limited slip???thanks marcel

 

[DF5152]

same... but there are all differnt types of limited slip diffs AKA anti spin. .