Limited Slip Diff

Big lumps of metals and spanners. Including servicing and fluids.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1860
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Limited Slip Diff

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Not sure I have an LSD, or it is working as it should. When reversing onto my garage frontage the Nearside rear wheel spins on the gravel, this is because there is a slop on that side which means the rear NS Wheel is lower than the offside rear wheel, the wheels digs a big hole in the gravel, I try to avoid it buy reversing faster but space is limited.  Looked on line but the explanations I have seen indicate a vehicle on even ground on ice etc.
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

User avatar
clift_d
Registered user
Posts: 3306
Joined: 04 Oct 2012, 23:51
80-90 Mem No: 11695
Location: Hackney innit

Re: Limited Slip Diff

Post by clift_d »

If you're experiencing a situation where the wheel in the gravel wheel is spinning, but the other one is not turning, then I'm guessing that you probably don't have a Limited Slip Differential fitted, as the LSD would ensure that at least some of the engine torque went to the wheel with grip.
1988 LHD T25 1.6TD Westfalia Club Joker Hightop syncro

Stesaw
Registered user
Posts: 1950
Joined: 10 Aug 2019, 23:30
80-90 Mem No: 17004
Location: Coventry

Re: Limited Slip Diff

Post by Stesaw »

I wasn't aware the gearboxes ever had LSD's from factory, unless retrofitted by other people?
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project

User avatar
bigherb
Registered user
Posts: 2580
Joined: 27 Mar 2008, 13:50
80-90 Mem No: 5789
Location: West Kent

Re: Limited Slip Diff

Post by bigherb »

Stesaw wrote: 26 Mar 2022, 00:15 I wasn't aware the gearboxes ever had LSD's from factory, unless retrofitted by other people?

LSD were a factory option, even on Bay windows, rare to have one though.
1982 Camper 1970 1500 Beetle Various Skoda's, Ariel Arrow

User avatar
ZsZ
Registered user
Posts: 1418
Joined: 12 Feb 2009, 16:28
80-90 Mem No: 14899
Location: Budapest, Hungary
Contact:

Re: Limited Slip Diff

Post by ZsZ »

Original LSDs are 40% torque proportion lamelle type.
They should give 40% of the torque to the non spinning wheel.
The wear of the lamelles and the gearbox oil really affect them.
Usually at this age they only work on really slippery situations like snow and ice.
Zoltan
1986 Multivan ex-Caravelle. Van since 2006, running mTDi 1Z since 2008 with Fiat Croma 1.9 TDid pump 2008-2019, custom pump since 2019
5spd custom box 4.57 diff + 0.74 5th

Brick
Registered user
Posts: 111
Joined: 03 Oct 2021, 11:42
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: Limited Slip Diff

Post by Brick »

I had a Nissan with an lsd, similar symptoms. A gearbox oil change for a quality oil sorted it. Nice and smooth afterwards.

TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1860
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Re: Limited Slip Diff

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Thanks to all for feedback, sounds as if LSD is not fitted to mine so all should be ok and axle working as it should. Did an oil change sometime back also, is there any external appearance that indicates fitted or not. Also vaguely remember reading something in a manual or on line that MOT testers and mechanics should be aware of damaging an LSD when doing the rolling road tests for brakes etc, and if you have to be towed.
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

User avatar
Aidan
Trader
Posts: 6589
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 19:21
80-90 Mem No: 742
Location: Llanfyllin, mid Wales : )
Contact:

Re: Limited Slip Diff

Post by Aidan »

To check if you have a lsd jack up the rear both sides and support on axle stands; in neutral, handbrake off rotate one wheel with some one observing the opposite wheel; if the wheel spins the opposite way to the one you are turning it is a normal open diff, if it spins in the same direction you have a lsd.
Factory fitted LSD gearboxes can be identified by the code of the box, and should have the flanged filler plug fitted

Image

TONYT25T25
Registered user
Posts: 1860
Joined: 16 Sep 2013, 17:19
80-90 Mem No: 13596
Location: Hampshire

Re: Limited Slip Diff

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Thanks Aidan, don.t recall that flange last time I changed the gearbox oil.
1984 Campervan 1.9DG Petrol WBX

User avatar
tobydog
Registered user
Posts: 1391
Joined: 07 Mar 2009, 21:03
80-90 Mem No: 6484
Location: Near Saarfend, Essex

Re: Limited Slip Diff

Post by tobydog »

Get rid of the gravel? 8)
Knowledge is power
1970 CU

Post Reply