Limited Slip??

[TCordero]

I ordered my 2004. 5 with 3. 73's and a "limited slip" rear end. However, I am wondering if the rear end is working. Yesterday I was pulling my 5th wheel up the driveway (key word being up) and on one side the driveway was still wet from rain. Needless to say, I lost traction and began to spin - passengerside only. So, being prudent, I calmly slipped it into "low 4", after coming to a stop, and thought that would take care of the problem - wrong! Now I had the front and rear passenger tires spinning and I was going nowhere. Am I wrong or is that the scenario where the limited slip is supposed to key you moving? Is there a way to make sure I have the correct rear end that I PAID for??

Thanks for any input-

Tim



04. 5, 4x4, QC, LB, 6 sp, 3. 73's

 

[Pawpaw]

First, check the sticker in the bottom of your glove box to see if you did get the anti-spin differential.



The anti-spin works "differently" on the 3rd Gen's. There is no clutch pack - it's done with gears. There are much smarter people than I on the TDR that can explain how it works.



If there is a big difference in traction between the two rear wheels, one can spin. In that case, partially applying the parking brake should help.



Bob

 

[JHardwick]

This has come up over and over again. Do a search, grab your fovorite drink and be prepared to read!



You do not have a posi rear end, you have a limited slip.



Since you have a 6 speed and I have a 6 speed, I can tell you that in a low one sided traction situation in 1st thru 3rd gears your done! Unless you are willing to hit 3rd or 4th with the pedal poking thru the firewall forget it. You have to work a limited slip, it's not a posi unit!!

 

[lil red cummins]

tim, you are not alone. i also find the limited slip to be pretty much useless. i posted on my problems back at the beginning of winter. i have it worse off because of only 2wd.



from what i have been able to gather from others, there must be some load on the spinning wheel in order to get the stopped wheel to start pulling. the only way to do this is to ease down on the parking brake while letting it spin. at some point, the spinning wheel should slow down and start transferring power to the stopped wheel. i have had mixed success with this process.



the design of the LSD is not what i am used to and is really ineffective when one wheel is on a very slippery surface.



in my case, a more aggressive winter tire helped the most, but since you have 4wd, you probably already have a good tire.



by the way, you may want to look at your original window sticker and the sticker on the glove compartment door to confirm you have limited slip.

this is still no guarantee you have it, but makes it more likely.



hope this helps



jim

 

[SBall]

From what I understand the helical-bevel LSD in your new trucks is similar to (if not identical to) the Torsen, and provides torque based on the "bias ratio" provided by the gearing. This bias ratio is simply a torque multiplier. The best explanation I've found on the web is the Torsen website's FAQ found here: http://www.torsen.com/general/general_faq.htm

I've got a torsen in an "R-edition" Miata and with Blizzak snow tires it's absolutely amazing in the snow- with road tires it's horrible in the snow. Bottom line is that providing better traction on the tires allows the bias ratio to perform its magic. Some folks even use the old parking brake trick to apply resistance to the spinning wheel(s) to multiply torque on the wheel that might have the better grip. Helical-bevels and clutch pack units won't lock however, that's a totally different solution.

 

[bfull]

I had the same problem with mine,one wheel spinning. Took it to dealer and complained they changed the limited slip( not sure exactly what ) but it is a lot better. Before the truck wouldn't move in any slippery condition,the repair slip shows adjuster,bearings and gaskets. A lot of guys on here saythats how it is but I think there has to be some benefit to a limited slip and before mine was no better than any open differential