LSD diffs and towing

ScubyRoo · Post by **ScubyRoo** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:12 am

So I'm in the process of reviewing my drive train and deciding if to go with an LSD rear diff.

My last rear diff died a terrible screeching death, and it was LSD. I do a lot of towing during the winter with both braked and un-braked trailers both on tarmarc and dirt. I don't know the history of one the one that died as I only had the car for about 15,000km before it died - might have had the wrong oil in it, who knows.

My main question... is there more wear and tear occuring on an LSD diff when engine braking with a trailer compared to a regular 'open' type? It might sound like a stupid question but I was hoping for advice for those that understand these things better than I.

I understand the advantages of an LSD diff in low traction conditions, so it's a matter of longeivity after concern regarding my last (LSD) diff as I never had any issues with my previous subi and its 'open' rear diff.

Cheers,
Owen.

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:22 pm

I've towed quite a bit with the Lib which has viscous diff and never had a problem but this may not suit your needs, though a much cheaper option.

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:03 pm

I cant see how towing will have any effect on your LSD, unless you are spinning wheels.

I think your previous diff failure had noithing to do with towing.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 12:48 am

vincentvega wrote:I cant see how towing will have any effect on your LSD, unless you are spinning wheels.

I think your previous diff failure had noithing to do with towing.

I second that!

Your LSD will only come into play when one rear wheel has lost traction, while both wheels have traction the LSD is basically redundant.

The LSD didn't fail in your rear diff - it was the ring and pinion gears that mashed themselves - as you say this could have been due to incorrect oil replaced instead of the LSD oil required - regular diff oil may have fried and thus the failure.

Since flooding Ruby Scoo I'm running LSD oil in my gearbox and have noticed smoother changes mainly when cold (that damn cold 2nd gear change some mornings saw me skip to 3rd from 1st - NOT fun!). I did this on advice of my parts joint - the oil was only a couple of dollars more but so far well worth the change.

Cheers

Bennie