I was rotating the tires on my 2004.5 CTD yesterday and noticed that with one rear tire in the air and the trans in neutral, I can easily spin the lifted tire. I had a 2nd gen dodge with the limited slip and it would really bite hard. Is this limited slip worn out or did I get screwed and paid for something I didn't get? I have about 45k highway miles.

 

Lift both rear tires off the ground, and give one a spin. If they both turn in the same direction, you have limited slip. If they spin in opposite directions, you have an open diff. One reason it might spin easier is your second gen might of had rear drum brakes and you 3rd gen has rear disk.

 

They turn opposite, one turns forward, the other backwards. I felt pretty sure that I had an open diff, just needed another opinion. Sounds like it is time to call the ***********!

 

Sorry, Dealership.

 

With the Lock-Rite in the 3rd gens they do just what you described. Both wheels off the ground, tranny on park, turn one wheel and the other turns the opposite way. And they turn easily, just like an open diff.

That is not the test to determine if it has a LS or not. You can either test it out by driving it or pull the rear cover and look at it.

If your build sheet says you have it you probably do. Next time you change the fluid just look to see.

Wetspirit

 

Your test works for the older style Trac-Loc from Dana. That's a great diff but works with clutches that have some pre-load. And it has nothing to do with drum brakes. The Lock-Rite is completely different.

wetspirit

 

I've got an '03, and I was wondering the same question. Sometimes, it feels like I've got limited slip. Other times, it feels like it's open....

I had heard that the '03's have a "tourque-biasing" diff as opposed to a true limited slip. Basically, it will limit the amount of slip if you are already rolling, but it behaves like an open diff from a dead stop. Is this true?

 

I had a Lockrite in the CJ...Biggest piece of clanging junk I ever purchased. I'm going to put a true locker in my 06 once I am out of warranty and cryo everything before it goes in.

 

The Lock-Rite is pretty mild and is sensitive to how much input torque there is. So sometimes under light load it seems invisible or not effective. But under heavy load, like going up a steep hill, it will really tighten up and spin both tires. Under light load, if you get stuck, you have to give it a little parking brake to increase the input torque and make it tighten up. I wish they were a little more aggressive. I'm alway testing mine while driving and find I can punch it with one wheel on leaves or wet ground and it will spin both. Or a steep driveway with a curve and it will chirp the one on the inside of the curve because it's locked. But during mild right turn acceleration from a corner it might spin just the right rear. On mountain snowy highways it is really good. An open diff will be less likely to cause a spin out but will get stuck easier. A true locker will be more likely to cause a spin out because the wheels are locked together and if one spins they both spin. The Lock-Rite is good in the snow, on the highway, but poor for serious rock climbing off road. None of them are perfect.



Wetspirit

 

yes its true. On '03s and up with one wheel on ice and the other wheel on pavement at a dead stop you are stuck. Look on page 199-200 of your owners manual and it tells us to apply the parking brake slightly for power to the wheel on pavement or with traction. I tried it and it worked only if the left side wheel had the traction. Looks like they make a great unit for laying down two black marks but are a pos when stopped dead and then try to get going.
JIM

 

I put my right rear raised up on a jack and put my truck into gear with it running. It didn't even act like it was going to budge my truck off the jack. I goosed it to about 3k and it did pull trying to move forward off of the jack. Not sure if the tire was barely touching or if this is all I can expect to get from the factory LS. Obviously don't recommend this as a safe test, be it did tell me without pulling the cover that there is a really crappy LS in there.

 

Basically what I am gathering is that this diff is alot like a qwik-loc, in that it has two halves and a center pin. When power (torque) is applied the center pin pushes in a wedge between the two halves trying to separate them, which inturn pushes the halves out against the clutches. More torque equals more pushing force against the clutches which equalls more traction. This is why you can free spin the wheel because there is no force pushing against the clutches. Applying the parking brake causes a restriction against it which increases the torque being seen by the differential, therefore increasing the clamping load of the clutches. Am I right, I have been into plenty of rearends on my jeeps installing lockers and spools, just don't have much experience with limited slips. Only ones I have any experience with are spring loaded clutch type.

 

thats a pretty ballsy move, but that being said at least you got it figured out. My 06 will spin both of them from a dead stop, or if i park a little too deep in the ditch it will spin the muddy wheel and the dry one. Ive never taken the time to check out my diff, but isnt there a way to shim the springs to tighten up the diff, or is this unit not based on springs?

 

I'm hearing you hummin harry!! No lock right parts for me either I broke 2 in my jeep and it's Detroit locker or nothing for me also!!

Rick

 

I run only full Detroits or spools in my jeeps now. Went the same route with lunch box locker before and learned my lessons.