open vs limited slip diferentials.
I have read about differentials overheating. Is this a problem 'almost' exclusive to limited slip? My new vehicle will be used a great amount of time on steep 2 lane winding mountain roads. I woul...
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ScottG wrote:
The "drag" is so minimal it is inconsequential or non existent - oil separates them and technically they do not touch. When they are not locked up there is nothing holding them back - they just freewheel. Other wise they would wear out quickly.
They do not get engaged until a ratio is met. Not even a little bit and it make no discernible heat.
What makes heat is heavy loading and lots of power - or abuse.
Personally I would never own a truck, especially a 2WD, without some form of LSD. Had one once and got stuck in the most ridiculous places.
Maybe you are confusing various limited slip and locker differentials. The most common LSD is a clutch-pack style. The friction surfaces are always in contact as long as there some pre-load (there usually is, and more can be added by adding extra clutch discs), and friction increases as torque through the differential increases.
I'm not saying anybody should skip on LSD for this reason. I'm just stating that it can add extra heat vs an open diff. I have observed in my vehicle, that curving 2-lane roads increase MY differential temps substantially over the same grade roads without curves.
