Limited Slip Diff?

2000chevysilv · April 26, 2009

I put a auburn lSD in my 2wd silverado like 3 months ago.

Today i had one wheel on gravle and the other on dry pavement, When i guned it only the gravle wheel spun.

Is this hows its spost to work??

builderpaul · April 27, 2009

I put a auburn lSD in my 2wd silverado like 3 months ago.

Today i had one wheel on gravle and the other on dry pavement, When i guned it only the gravle wheel spun.

Is this hows its spost to work??

Yes,

Limited slip applies power to both tires but allows for slip between tires. This makes it easier to drive around corners on pavement. As you have noticed if there is a great enough difference in grip it will overcome the clutches and spin one tire. One on pavement and one on ice will do cause the same thing to happen.

An open dif applies power to either tire so all the time the less traction will spin.

A locker locks both together so even with one tire off the ground the other will turn. This will cause the rear tires to "hop" around corners, on payment, since both must turn at the same speed but cover a different distance.

GMs locker (G80) only locks when it senses slippage and only below 20 mph. This makes it drivable on pavement. This also makes it vulnerable to heavy footed drivers. A slipping tire can build up momentum in the short time it takes to lock and put a lot of stain on the parts.

superjim · April 27, 2009

I have to slightly disagree with Paul, with one qualification...

if the wheel on gravel was not spinning a LOT...what you described is normal.

If it WAS spinning a LOT...BOTH wheels should have been spinning.

When one wheel is spinning, the clutches should then transfer power to the OTHER wheel and cause it to either pull or also spin.

At least that is the way the ones I have had always worked.

Mark_in_Tulsa · April 27, 2009

I have to slightly disagree with Paul, with one qualification...
if the wheel on gravel was not spinning a LOT...what you described is normal.

If it WAS spinning a LOT...BOTH wheels should have been spinning.

When one wheel is spinning, the clutches should then transfer power to the OTHER wheel and cause it to either pull or also spin.

At least that is the way the ones I have had always worked.

Yeah I agree. I'm not expert but I'm pretty sure it doesn't apply more power to the wheel that is spinning. That would make being stuck even worse.

mr_bots · April 27, 2009

Limited slip = most power goes to the wheel with less traction, some goes to the wheel with traction.

Locker = same amount of power to both wheels.

Most likely the gravel wasn't applying enough resistance to engage the clutches in the diff. If it happens again, apply the brakes a little to increase the resistance on the spinning wheel.

matt3 · April 27, 2009

Limited slip = most power goes to the wheel with less traction, some goes to the wheel with traction.
Locker = same amount of power to both wheels.

Most likely the gravel wasn't applying enough resistance to engage the clutches in the diff. If it happens again, apply the brakes a little to increase the resistance on the spinning wheel.

+1