Torsen LSD Problem?

I own a 2005 1.8l sport with 13,000 Km, LSD, 6 Speeds, ABS.

Being a new owner, I have noticed a phenomena, that I do not know whether is characteristic or a problem.

My clutch does not shudder either in 1st or in Reverse. However, whenever I am doing a parallel parking maneuver, when the car is hot, the whole car shudders as if the clutch has hardening spots, or there is a torn support along the drive train. I am sure it is not from the clutch! I feel the shudder coming from the rear axle, it is as if the differential is lapsing in an on/off power transfer.

It never happens in a strait line reverse, and not when the car is cold. Only when the car is hot and only when I maneuver the car into parallel parking.

I do not know if it is relevant, but when I reverse in the morning out of my garage, I always turn the driving wheel to the right. After that, I turn the wheel to the left and drive in 1st. When I start to move, after

1-2 Meters, I feel/hear a low "rumble" coming from the differential. On that I was told by you and by miata.net people- that it is characteristic of a Torsen LSD.

Are the phenomenas related? How can I overcome the shudder when parallel parking?

I tried to demonstrate the problem to a friend. I took the car to a deserted parking lot. I maneuvered the car in reverse for 15 minutes, NOTHING happened! Seems to me that it happens only when I stop the car coming from a long drive and than try to parallel park the car by turning the driving wheel while reversing.

Any ideas? Have you ever felt it also?

Reply to
primekart
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If you're turning the steering wheel all the way to its stops, it's probably a normal power steering pulsation. You should avoid turning the wheel to full lock--it's hard on the machinery.

A Torsen shouldn't feel like anything unless you apply significant power in a very sharp turn at low speed. E.g., you can expect the inside rear wheel to scuff several times per second when launching briskly into a sharp right turn out of a stop sign.

Problems with Torsens are very rare in Miatas with less than 300 hp (i.e., large aftermarket turbos running very high boost).

Reply to
Lanny Chambers

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