Welded diffs....

[robertthorpe90]

i have driven mine loads and given it alot of abuse and had no trouble wit hit locking up! why would it lock up??

[Arfur]

Regarding the Make Your Own Welded Diff feature in the current issue of Classic Ford, while the different driving and handling characteristics were included in the article, I think we should have highlighted them a little better, and stated that welded diffs are over-the-top for a Fast Road car. A standard, open-type diff in good condition is more than up to the job in almost all situations where the car is driven legally and responsibly on the public highway.

 

However, it is also worth pointing out that a welded diff is legal for road use provided your insurer is aware of the modification, and that a ‘tight’ or motorsport-spec, plate-type LSD in a rear-wheel-drive car will display the same traits (good and bad) as a welded diff.

 

The Make Your Own series we run each issue is designed for people who want to save cash, and have the basic skills and gear to be able to carry out the tasks described. If done properly, a welded diff is a cost-effective route to controlling the action of the rear wheels, and is ideal for those who want to get their car sideways in a controlled environment. Don’t forget that as well as the £500 cost of a new LSD, you will also need to pay someone who knows what they are doing to install it into your casing for you.

 

Finally, it is a complete and utter waste of time installing an LSD (or welded diff) into your classic Ford if it hasn’t got the power or the suspension to make the most of it. Your money can be far better spent elsewhere.

 

If anyone wants to discuss the feature mentioned further, feel free to drop me a PM or call me on 01225 732365.

 

V8ian, you have PM.

 

Cheers,

 

Simon

[antz]

Finally, it is a complete and utter waste of time installing an LSD (or welded diff) into your classic Ford if it hasn’t got the power or the suspension to make the most of it. Your money can be far better spent elsewhere.

 

I disagree.

 

I have a LSD in my escort which is currently running a 1.3 xflow and its brilliant fun. Even with a weedy 62bhp I can get the rear end to kick out.

 

You dont need big power to have fun with an LSD.

[DAZZA]

Thank you gentlemen, some mixed reviews for sure!

 

Im sure a few people out there had the same question, but after the CF article its kind of inspired me. The whole point of my car was to do it up by the cheapest but safest route possible. Ive done quite a few bits to get it looking half decent from the customised mess it was.

 

I commend the CF team by bringing cheaper option mods into the scene and dont believe they would encourage any dangerous advice. I assume there will be stories of woe relating to experiences with welded diffs, but I put that down to over enthusiastic driving, lets face ita slipper could throw you off track if abused.

 

Still, ive decided to save my pennies for a proper one, not because of everyones views but I just want a car that is done properly the first time, not go back to the same mod unnecessarily.

[bmxdave]

just wait till one locks as its built up too much heat from cornering

 

Im not questioning your experience but how come that happened?

 

No more heat is built up. The axle behaves in pretty much the same manner as a regular axle, apart from at very low speed cornering. At higher speeds it still happens of course, but you wouldnt notice it. All you get is increased wear rate.

 

The only heat build up i can think of is in the tyres. If you are consistently driving around at speeds then theyd probably heat up a bit due to being skittish and jumping a bit. But no more then heavy use of the brakes, and far far within the tolerences of the hub assembly / bearing etc.

[andy_b]

How cool is it that classic ford actually reply to posts on here (wether you agree with them or not)

Andy.

[V8Wagon]

None of this is meant as sucking eggs but just my experiences:

 

Got to say I've done a touch of drifting where the welded diff is extremely popular (and of course, cheap) and, the basic way it's done is through clutch drops - you power on, cock the wheel, clutch drop and the back comes round in the opposite direction the front wheels are pointing (think that's right - might point the other way, doesn't matter, they're turned...). To change direction, you dip the clutch, point them the other way and the back swings round the other way... Bit like a hand brake turn only powered.

 

Right, that works with power on. Now, imagine this scenario, you're belting along the road too fast, you think shit, I need to scrub off some speed - two options, slam on the brakes or drop it down a gear. With me so far?

 

If you do the latter, what have you got? Think about it... Power on and the clutch brought up quick - what does that sound like? Yep, a clutch drop!!!

You'd better be prepared for it because if you're not, the back will come round and you'll be going backwards - very much like an un-expected hand brake turn...

 

As Si says, an LSD can catch you out in exactly the same way - the one that will do this is a motorsport LSD with fast ramp angles - it's designed to come in quick and with a snap and effectively will turn the diff into a locked one.

 

There are road LSDs and track LSDs for a reason - the Capri Atlas LSD for example, is extremely different to a track LSD - for a start, the ramp angles are very steep so the locking action is reluctant to start and thus, it's good for the road because it's not too aggressive.

 

Motorsport diffs are meant amongst other things, for rallying in the forrest/loose because it'll snap in quick, kick the back end out and Bob's ya firkin. Not that ideal on the road IMO...

 

It comes down to the following - if you want to arse up fit a plate LSD and learn how to use it.

 

If you want to be quick on the track, ATB.

 

One last thing, an ATB will behave more like an open diff and handle better but, the car needs setting up for it - get it right, you'll love it. But, if you swap out a plate LSD for an ATB, the car will be shite because the car's set up for an LSD - it's like ya dinner and ya pudding, they're both the same thing but different...

 

I know all this because I have driven a welded diff car on the road and yes it caught me out - now I've had time to think about it and analyse what happened, it wouldn't happen again. Learn by YOUR experiences not what other people tell you is best... Waste land, testing, you can't beat it!

 

The above is probably all the round ones so ignore it if you like,

 

Jon