Differential slipping? Can it?
- Thread starter GoBlue
- Start date
It can. I had my Cobra at the track on night. Times went from mid 12's to low 13's and 60ft goes from 1.8's to 2.0's and 2.1's. Guy in the stands came down, and said my right rear wheel wasn't spinning during my last few runs. I went home that night, found some fresh cement and laid a patch, turned around....1 rubber, not two!!!
BOOMSHAKALAKA
New Member
- May 13, 2008
- 31
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I agree they can't slip but I think they can miss. I had a lsd that the gears were not meshing properly. I would recommend opening the rear end and take a look if everything is tightly meshed.
flstang65
10 Year Member
more than likely its your clutch. but as will smith said, it can be the clutch pack in the diff if your diff uses one.
Mustang92
SN's #1 1%er
Maybe you were meaning to say rear gears and not rear end but yes rear ends can in fact slip. The spider gears in the differential cannot slip but they clutch packs in the stock differential most certainly can slip if they are worn and it doesn't take much to wear them out. This is why are they called Limited Slip Differentials (LSD). From the factory they are fairly loose and what really kills them is accelerating around corners when the clutches in the LSD are slipping. When you make a turn the inside axle is spinning faster than the outside axle. If they didn't slip then it would be no different than a spool that locks both axles and the tires will squeel at low speed turns due to both tires turning the same distance even though the other tire has more distance to cover.
When people have them rebuilt they usually got with extra clutch packs to keep it tigher and make them last longer.
Bill
I certainly understand all of this well. My point is, even if there is slippage of these clutches, the axles are still mechanically locked to the driveshaft and they can not slip in relation to the driveshaft. One axle may turn faster than the other, but they are still mechanically locked.
same thing with my car, except i found out by learning i cant do donuts turning right.. (only one wheel spinning for some reason when i turn right)
i think they both spin sometimes, because when i burnout straight the rear end slides out sideways quick... which i think means both wheels are spinning
Who knew there was so much to know about differentials? Thanks for all the info.
I have the FRPP 4:10's and I assume thats all they changed out, except for the oil. In my case it could be nothing. Assuming I had a LSD, should I try turning right and stomping on the gas to see what happens, or will it do it going straight?
A little side Q - How do I check the level of the oil, because its not dripping but its smeared all over the bottom of the diff? I wiped it all off and it hasnt appeared to reappear.
I have the FRPP 4:10's and I assume thats all they changed out, except for the oil. In my case it could be nothing. Assuming I had a LSD, should I try turning right and stomping on the gas to see what happens, or will it do it going straight?
A little side Q - How do I check the level of the oil, because its not dripping but its smeared all over the bottom of the diff? I wiped it all off and it hasnt appeared to reappear.
Mustang92
SN's #1 1%er
Give the fact that he's talking about his rear end slipping, most people take that as one wheel wonder, which is the differential slipping...same thing. One wheel will always be mechanically locked but the opposite side can have the clutches worn out so badly that it won't spin. That would greatly limit traction as power is only going to one wheel.
Bill
forum155pl
New Member
02nightmaregt
To hell with your Mustang, I want to see your HOG!
When i did my 3.73's all i did was the gears(no new bearing or rebuild kit) too and now my stock bearings are starting to make all kinds of noise. M\I don't think the diff. clutch packs are shot but i'm rebuilding the whole rear with 31 spline stuff anyways.
Your cover may be leaking a little. If you want to check the level there is a plug on the drivers side front of the diff. itself that you crack open, and (what the haynes manual says, and i did) and stick your finger in, the fluid level should be right there just at the bottom of the hole. Worked for me.
ChopSuey
New Member
Didn't see this mentioned but the factory LSDs require 75w140 Sythetic lube which is pretty much formulated for limited slip differentials. If this wasn't used or a friction modifier used when the gears were changed it could cause the clutch packs to not operate correctly. You may want ask the installer if the proper fluid was used. At any rate it wouldn't be a bad idea to drain the diff and check everything out and refill with the proper fluid.
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