I have a 02 Ranger 4x4 XLT that I bought new 18 months ago. Manual Tranny, limited slip rear end.
I'd like to get a few opinions here on the following.
How does the LSD work? My understanding is that when one wheel starts to slip, the other grabs and the truck is propelled forward. My truck seems to get stuck easily in the snow and I've raise the question with the dealer several times. I got Ford's standard "it works fine" answer.
Today I parked on the side of the road. The shoulder was covered in hard ice while the pavement was dry. When I pulled away, the wheel on the shoulder spun like crazy while the one on dry pavement didn't. The truck slowly moved ahead. I thought the LSD would eliminate just such a problem.
I feel it isn't working properly. Is it?
Second question.
I have noticed the last 2 winters that when I get in any amount of snow (6" or more) I get a burning smell from the clutch. Not continuously but lets say if I'm backing into my driveway before it's shoveled. Last week, I pulled onto the shoulder of the road and into some snow. Of course the truck got a bit stuck and as I worked it out the burning smell was very strong. This time I had my girlfriend as a witness. I had a 90 Mazda 4x4 manual for
13 years and even though it's been in snow up to the doors, the clutch never smelled. The truck is still going with 440,000kms and the original clutch.The dealer said they couldn't find anything wrong. I have complained from the very first time in the shop 5000k or less that the clutch just didn't feel right. It seemed to be out of true but each time I got the standard "Nothing wrong answer".
Anyone else have a similar problem
When it was in getting checked the last time, the mechanic let slip that if he suspected a problem and worked on it only to find nothing wrong, he would get charged for the labour. In other words, unless they are positive of the cause of a problem, they won't stick their neck out for fear of being docked. Is this a Ford policy? It would certainly explain why they can never find anything wrong.
Glen Nova Scotia