Jesse Sears is a Los Angeles-based journalist and photographer. 4 Symptoms of a Bad Car AC Compressor and Replacement Cost. When you hear “I have a posi rear end!" That way, when you go to turn the vehicle, both wheels will be forced to turn simultaneously no matter how much traction each wheel has. Clutch-based limited-slip differentials are ingenious devices, but they present a unique problem. In recent years, a third type of limited slip differential has been introduced. Typically, most vehicles come with open differentials. Is that true, though? This is beneficial in hard-corner turning. There are two basic types: Limited slip differentials or locking differentials, aka lockers. There will be complete silence from the limited slip differentials too. There are at least four different types of differentials which are suitable for various kinds of driving conditions. By Justin Banner. This open differential allows the wheels to spin at different speeds to help in cornering, but will allow excessive wheel spin when one wheel loses traction. All automobiles on the road contain devices between the wheels called differentials, or gear trains. However, on very slippery surfaces such as icy or muddy roads, a lack of driving force, called traction force, can cause rear wheels to slip because the standard differential will drive the wheel with the least traction. Quality tires designed for offroad make a world of difference in your ability to find traction and have fun. While you could get away with using a limited-slip differential on mildly snowy and icy roads, you may need a locking differential if the conditions are severe. They work by shifting a portion of the torque to the wheel with the most traction while limiting the slip on the wheel with the least traction. The limited-slip differential is similar to the positraction differential, but allows the wheel with traction to have only a limited amount of greater power than the wheel that is slipping. The benefit of the locking mechanism, either automatic or driver-selectable, comes in when one of the wheels is slipping. The best differentials for your vehicle will depend on whether you have 4-wheel drive, 2-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, and so on. For vehicles with open differentials, a rear locker is by far the more popular choice, as it’s more suitable to a diverse range of off-roading situations. When power is applied, the shafts ride up the ramps and load the clutches for a positive engagement. Hence you have both rear tires turning together for maximum traction vs a limited slip … A locking differential makes both wheels on that axle spin at the same speed no matter what. The similarities are that they both provide the same basic function for the w… Skip to minute 1:50 unless you want to see the cheesy motorcycle antics!) This can provide a higher … This means that the differential allows for the opposing wheels to spin at different rates. That's where the right differential makes a difference. G2 Limited-Slip Differential When you need increased traction for your 4x4 but don’t want any of the handling characteristics associated with locking differentials, G2 has you covered. The Auto Limited Slip Differential (LSD) is a much different platform than a Tacoma that has the option of a Locking Rear differential. During normal driving and cornering, the limited-slip unit performs similarly to a conventional differential. We will go over the differences between the two now. Affiliate Disclosure:  We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The limited slip is obviously better than an open differential. When offroad an important keyword is traction. Limited Slip Differential. A limited-slip differential allows the wheels to continue to turn at different speeds without locking to each other completely but can limit the amount of torque sent to the spinning wheel and maximize the torque sent to the wheel with the best traction. Locker Differentials are a bit more hardcore than Limited-Slip differentials, and they shouldn’t be considered for every truck. In fact, there are different types of differentials that are made for vehicles. A limited-slip differential commonly uses clutches to transmit torque between wheels. All the applications are bolted into the system. This means that you’ll likely have to replace them sooner than you would with the locking differentials. Limited Slip vs. Locking Differential. I have a question about the limited slip option, does it replace the electronic locking differential or is it in addition to it? I am getting ready to purchase my first Toyota Tacoma. In the 1973 model year, General Motors decided to start using the Gov-Lock in trucks, in an effort to eliminate chatter associated with conventional spring preload clutch type positractions (limited slip differentials… This is done by splitting the torque of the engine into two separate outputs. Trac-Lok is the "anti spin" differential....it's FCA's brand name for their LSD (limited slip differential). This very loosely mimics the effects of a locking differential, but enough to be helpful in some scenarios. Trac-Lok anti-spin (limited slip differential) is always active and works independently of Brake Lock Differential. A Limited-Slip Differential generates more traction than the open differential. Since the inside wheel of the car is going a shorter distance than the outside wheel, this causes slippage. But, before you can actually understand why a limited-slip or locking differential is important in your performance car, we need to briefly talk about why your car needs any type of differential to begin with. The limited slip differential is one way to get that lost traction to the wheel that had the most grip. Post Reply. LSD vs Locked vs Spooled Part 1 – Open and LSD Differentials. The key feature of a locking differential is how the wheels on the same axle will lock together. You will want either a locking differential or limited slip differential for better traction. Trac-Lok is the "anti spin" differential....it's FCA's brand name for their LSD (limited slip differential). The purpose of differentials is to allow the wheels of the vehicle to rotate at varying speeds. Im Gegensatz zu echten "Sperren" könnten diese Differentiale lediglich Antriebs-Drehmoment zwischen den Antriebsrädern hin und her schieben aber die Achse nicht vollständig "sperren". The LSD works by allowing a small amount of wheel spin and then automatically engages … A locking differential's key feature is its ability to force both of the drive wheels to rotate at the exact same speed regardless of traction needs. Most Limited-Slips, sometimes called posi’s or positraction diffs, use clutches to drive both tires, but allow the clutches to slip when the vehicle corners and the axles need to turn at different speeds. Introduction. On the downside, the treads of your tires are going to get worn out fast. Front axles don't have limited slip. Limited slip differentials provide your vehicle with the best traction around. Open Differential. This is beneficial in hard-corner turning. For starters, they will make it easier to turn on roads which are slippery and wet. Each one has their own special quality and attributes. The limited slip will not provide 100% lock up of the differential in extreme situations such as when a wheel completely looses traction. In technical terms, the XDS system, initially developed for the Golf GTI, is an extension of the electronic differential lock (EDS) integrated in the ESP system. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 20 of 27 Posts. Both are designed to maximize available torque to the wheel or wheels with the most traction, but they accomplish this in different ways and have different applications. It is a clutch type unit using floating cross shafts that ride up on ramps in the case. the Truetrac. It’s effective enough to get the job done in most scenarios despite not achieving 100-percent lock-up. Limited slip differentials, also known as Posi or Trac-Lock differentials, use clutches and springs to increase the friction of the differential gears to prevent them from turning at different speeds. Limited-Slip Differential. BLD will kick in if the torque bias is higher than Trac-Lok can handle. and slip is limited … When slip begins, the limited-slip lock-up is either via a complex geartrain, a clutch pack, or a viscous fluid. A limited slip differential maintains traction by “sensing” when one wheel is slipping, locking … As you point out, they work pretty well, but they don't guarantee traction in all conditions. A limited slip (or "posi") differential (or "diff") is a means to apply power to the ground when traction is limited, by sensing which wheel has traction and applying force to it, while … Limited-Slip Differential; Locking Differential; 1. Open vs Limited-Slip Differentials. The limited-slip differential is similar to the positraction differential, but allows the wheel with traction to have only a limited amount of greater power than the wheel that is slipping. I have been wondering about the differential in the Metris. Limited Slip Differential: Pros Limited slip differentials give you better traction than locked … If you have a front axle application, some limited slip differentials may pull from one side to the next. But it now has a Powertrax No Slip locker in the rear. Locking Differential vs Limited Slip Diff An LSD can never compete or make a vehicle as capable as one with a rear Diff locker. Plus, the treads of your tires will stay in good condition as you accelerate regularly. The main problem with driving … Both are designed to maximize available torque to the wheel or wheels with the most traction, but they accomplish this in … In the sport of offroading almost inevitably the conversation turns to improving performance. Keeping it basic, a differential is a device that compensates for the incurred differences in wheel speed. Better traction generally boils down to four components, your tires. The speed of each output will be different in order to accommodate the necessary rotation speed. In the early 1970s, real muscle cars were fading away, and average Americans were becoming more concerned with a plush ride than with high performance. The name “positraction” was used by General Motors for their limited slip differential and the name has been associated with limited slips for many years. These differentials will not divert 100% of the power to one wheel though. A third type of traction device for an axle—used for off-road or racing purposes only—is a spool; a ring gear carrier that is really not a differential but instead a solid piece of metal that totally locks both axle shafts together in your axle’s centersection. A limited-slip differential and a locking differential are not the same thing. The average car has an open differential, allowing a wheel to continue spinning even after it slips. Because the torque is not equally split 50/50 it can channel more torque to the wheel that has the better traction - and is not limited by the lower traction of the other wheel at any given moment. Not all differentials are designed the same way. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge.