Hi all, I have an 04 F-250 with a Limited slip rear end. Over the weekend I got stuck while backing up in gravel. THe left rear tire just spun. I had expected the limited slip to kick in and lockup that wheel. It did not. I had to engage the 4 wheel drive to pull her out.
So, the question is: Is the limited slip supposed to work in reverse? Thanks,
Michelle
Limited slips do just that, they limit the slippage in the differential, they don't lock positively like a Detroit Locker or ARB. If one wheel has no traction whatsoever, it'll act just like an open diff.
I guess it depends on the limited slip diff type. Most limited slips will transfer the torque to the wheel with the grip regardless of the traction conditons of the other wheel.
Except, it will apply some torque to the tire with good traction. Just not a lot. If you check in a service manual it will usually give you the minimum "break away" torque. This is when the clutch packs just start to slip, after they slip a bit it goes down. So the most torque transfer is just at the point the clutches let go.
This minimum break away torque can be as low as 60 ft pounds, or as high a
400. Some additives used to stop shuddering when you go around a corner reduce the break away torque.Al
Yes, but it won't work like a locker, just a little better than an open diff.. Next time you get "stuck" like that, try applying the parking brake a little bit. It might "lock" that spinning tire enough to get the power to the other wheel.. Once ya get traction back on both wheels, take the parking brake off..
Well yeah, of course it will try to apply torque to the stuck wheel, but if there isn't enough torque applied to get the wheel moving, it still won't move, agreed?
If you're asking me, you are correct. It's limited slip, IE, it slips:)
Al
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