How do you tell difference between LSD and open diff?

[PaulAshman]

How do i know if my car has lsd or open diff? Thanks.

[viv-ashton]

jack up the rear turn the wheel both wheels should turn in the same direction together, that is a lsd ,if the other wheel goes in the opposite direction or does,nt move at all that is an open diff

[PaulAshman]

So both in same direction is lsd, yes?

[bomber1]

jack 1 rear wheel up and leave the other on the floor. open diff only the free wheel will turn. lsd it will drive off the jack sorry didnt think it through till i was writting it

[viv-ashton]

get someone to hold the other wheel and you try and turn the other , if it dont turn thats lsd

[PaulAshman]

Thanks.

[Mr Sam]

find some grass

 

wheels spin

 

1 muddy line = no LSD

 

2 muddy lines = LSD

[Von Loxlee]

find some grass

 

wheels spin

 

1 muddy line = no LSD

 

2 muddy lines = LSD

 

grass? be a man!

[Mr Sam]

......you could also find a private road

[DarrenM]

I had a LSD Atlas in an old 2.8 and it worked well when I 1st bought it but once I had done a few donuts and the like I had finished the clutches off and it behaved like an open diff , so to be sure whip the cover off and have a look!

[bmxdave]

Do the LSD's not behave somewhat like an open diff until some proper force is put through them or slip is detected? Thats the idea behind them.

 

So either way, the wheel should spin freely.

[Fiesta Steve]

Do the LSD's not behave somewhat like an open diff until some proper force is put through them or slip is detected? Thats the idea behind them.

 

So either way, the wheel should spin freely.

 

 

No m8, the wheel shouldn't turn.

 

 

Jack up one rear wheel and put car in gear.

 

If the wheel turns freely its an open diff.

 

If it doesn't turn it has an LSD.

 

 

If you have an LSD and you can turn the wheel, its wanked out !!

[bmxdave]

So the LSD works on being locked most of the time, but if enough turning force is applied (difference between each wheel) then the clutches slip?

[oli]

not sure but we'll check it out but i think you have a slipper in there but we'll jack it up

 

[X-pack-Glyn]

So the LSD works on being locked most of the time, but if enough turning force is applied (difference between each wheel) then the clutches slip?

 

Not exactly, you have something called pre load for that, when you force the axle through driving it locks up solid and is great fun for all the familly

[James HPE Motorsport]

right, depending on the application depends on how the LSD is set-up. If its setup for road use then in theory, you would still want the wheels to turn freely as you dont really want a stiff diff on the road (if you want to turn that is)

 

For racing use you would have a more preloaded diff which means more force is required to turn the wheels independantly.

 

Now, there is also something called ramps to take into consideration. This is the bit that will lock the diff when hard acceleration or decelleration is applied.

 

But to cut a long story short, the only 100%way to check is to take the cover off and have a look!!!

 

NUFF SED

[bmxdave]

right, depending on the application depends on how the LSD is set-up. If its setup for road use then in theory, you would still want the wheels to turn freely as you dont really want a stiff diff on the road (if you want to turn that is)

 

For racing use you would have a more preloaded diff which means more force is required to turn the wheels independantly.

 

 

Thats what i thought. I always presumed it worked by being effectively open until put under load. This would stop scrubbing which is the idea of an open diff of course., but still lock out when under harsh loads.

[X-pack-Glyn]

it still is an open diff, however, thats where the preload comes in, normally its about 40lb, hardly detectable, ive set mine to 75-80 wich is probably as far as youd want to go, even with 80lb its possble top jack one side up on mine and turn the wheel with a bit of force.

 

its a great tool in the dry, as if used propperly and not stepping the back end out you can really get the power down when coming out of corners.

 

in the wet it commands 100% respect though, and a non LSD car of the same spec would eat it out the corners.

 

ive always been interested in airlocker diffs, would be fantastic to have one in an OSF, a locked diff at the flick of a switch would be awesome.