Right wheel drive wheel?

[frank1]

I drove one of my 03's with auto transmission up my driveway and stopped on a piece of ice with my left rear wheel, as I pushed on the throttle to proceed forward, the left wheel was spinning on the ice and the right wheel was on black top and I could not proceed forward!!! I put the truck in reverse and I was able to back up without spinning the wheel? I turned the truck around and put the right wheel on the ice patch and stopped, pushed the the throttle (gas pedal) and the wheels did not spin at all, and was able to proceed forward. I thought that your right rear wheel was your drive wheel and as soon as you slipped with you left wheel the limited slip would lock in and both wheels would be engaged.This truck has 3.73 gears and the limited slip installed from the factory. Do I have a problem with the rear end not engaging correctly???

 

[EDankievitch]

One of the issues of the American axel limited slip is that if the unit is in the un locked when you get stuck it will stay un locked. one way to get to re lock is to apply the break as your add some throttle. you need to make the locking unit think that it has equal load on both tires then it will lock up. Apply the parking break works to get things moving.

 

[jhenderson]

Whichever wheel has the least traction is the drive wheel at that moment.

 

[frank1]

ED- I did apply the e-Break and still no traction! When I turned around and put the right rear wheel over the icy spot, I just drove off without any slippage, same in reverse. The only time I could not drive off the ice patch was when I had the left rear over the icy patch.Frank

 

[Prairie Dog]

It's a mystery to me why some of these diffs (like mine) work so well and others just don't.
OTOH mine just digested itself so we'll see how it works with new guts. :{

Scott

 

[EDankievitch]

That's strange... almost sounds like the locking clutch for the left side is stuck?

 

[DonFitzwater]

All of my diesel 3rd gens were worthless unless I put them in 4x4. The American axle anti spin is inferior to the old Dana limited slip.

 

[jhenderson]

There are no clutches in an AAM rear axle.

 

[frank1]

Well guys, what do you recommend for an after market locking differential? Detroit Locker ? I figure if I'am going to pay for someone to open up the rear and see what's going on ... go ahead and install a true limited locking diff.

 

[rscurtis]

Having had two Detroit lockers, trust me, you don't want one. They're hell on tires and are constantly trying to steer the truck. Look into an air operated locker if one exists for the AAM axle.

 

[jhenderson]

I'd vote for Torsen (Gleason-Torsen?) type. Very dependable and easy to live with on the road, even towing heavy. I too have run Detroit Lockers. They are miserable to use on the street, and worse when towing.

 

[Prairie Dog]

There are no clutches in an AAM rear axle.

Might add "in Dodge's".

Our lesser brethren, the GM twins, do have clutches in their AAM gov-lock axles.

(Too nit picky?)

 

[wcjp]

Agree with skipping the Detroit on a road vehicle.