Limited slip

[dieseldawg]

My first dodge was a 318 4x4 with limited slip. Needless to say the 318 enguine is better melted down and sold to cummins to cast a REAL block. Anyway the Q is why (besides the power difference) didnt I have the same problems that I am having with my diesel than my first truck. The true designation should be limited limp!

 

[Alan Reagan]

The only problem I've had with my LSD was chattering on corners. With my 98 I added some friction modifier and it stopped. With the 01, I switched to synthetics and the LSD works fine with no chatter. I recently tested it by pulling a downed pine tree to the burn pile. I could tell by the tire marks when one side would break traction. I've heard of problems with the LSD but haven't had any other than the chatter.

 

[MikeR]

It's because the factory nor the dealerships can get the right combination of LSD additive in the diff oil. They just dump it in at random and call it good. Of course that doen't work. Either do the oil additive yourself, or try some Amsoil series 2000 75w90 synthetic without the LSD additive. You'll then have a properly functioning limited slip.



-Mike

 

[sdalton]

Hmmmm. I had the rear fluid changed in mine several months ago. My rearend had a slight leak. They put some Kendall rear end fluid with friction additive already mixed in.

I tested it in the mud, and both tires broke. I then tested it by putting one rear tire in the mud, and the other on the pavement. The mud side barely spun at first, then launched just fine. I did the same to the other side and it launched the same.

I dont know if they sell the stuff in small containers, but the stuff I saw them use was in a 55 gallon drum with friction modifier written on the side.



When they changed it, they said it didnt need it, because it looked new. I just got nervous having a small leak, and 30k on it. Better safe than sorry.

 

[dieseldawg]

Thanks Ill try the Amsoil



If it works Ill file it with the rest of the things that the dealership said were functioning correctly!

 

[klenger]

55 gallon drum of friction modifier. Let's see 2-4 oz. per diff. That's a lot of diff. services.

 

[forr]

I've had the Amsoil in for about 5k and really like it. I added 2 oz. of friction modifier (Chrysler spec. stuff) to start and that seems -so far - to have done the trick. Previous posts on this topic pointed out that it might be best to start with no friction modifier when you go synthetic and listen for lockup on cornering. Adding only if you have to.



With the Dodge LSD factory mix, I effectively had an open rear and rarely could get the lockup desired on soft ground. Somewhere in the old posts, I remember reading that the LSD unlocks past a certain horsepower or so (my memory could be wrong), so lockup under 'launch'-type conditions may not ever work like posi-traction. Maybe someone else will remember the details.



Either way, since my change to synthetic, the LSD works just fine.

 

[HillCountrykid]

klenger, he said it was Kendall oil with friction modifier already added.



Brian

 

[klenger]

Oh, never mind.

 

[HillCountrykid]

Forget about how long a 55 gallon drum would last, think how much it would cost. Wish I had that kind of money.

 

[jkern]

i have a ??? too!!

my LSD from the factory never satisfied me at all. so last week i changed to amsoil series 2000 with no modifier. did my figure 8's and all that stuff. on high traction areas, like on the road, i can lay down two black marks every time, but off road in less traction areas i can never get both tires to spin. i was hooked to a tree yesterday on some soft ground verging on mud... the right tire spun like crazy and the left on never turned an inch... explain this to me.



about 2k miles ago before the lube change i dod check it, the lube level was fine, but there was about 1/4 inch of crud on the plug magnet. when i changed the lube and removed the cover there was no sludge or shavings in the bottom of the punkin.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Jkern, the crud is the filings off the gears and clutch packs. That much is normal during breakin. When I pulled my tree, both tires were pulling strong, but if you over power is will slip. I think that is to avoid tearing the rear end out under high power conditions when one side suddenly gains traction such as coming out of mud onto pavement. When I changed to the Valvoline synthetic, I did not add friction modifier and I don't have chatter but do get the effect of the LSD.