open vs limited slip diferentials.

JIMNLIN wrote:
Dodge went with the Trac-Rite GT which is a helical gear locker with the new '03 AAM 11.5" axles. Worthless piece of junk I've ever owned.
Now when sitting at a stop sign with one wheel on ice and the other on dry pavement your stuck with the wheel spinning away on ice. For this unit to work both wheels have to be turning.
In fact the owners manual says to apply the parking brake lightly so the Trac-Rite to work.
However the Trac-Rite is great for leaving two long black marks on dry pavement.

Now what the 4500/5500 uses I have no idea.

Bedlam wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
Now what the 4500/5500 uses I have no idea.

Ram uses the Dana S14-111L axle on these trucks. I do not know if Spicer makes the the LSD or someone else.

http://www.dana.com/wps/wcm/connect/dext2cv/commercial+vehicle/home/products/drive+axles/s110

http://www.dana.com/wps/wcm/connect/dext2cv/commercial+vehicle/home/products/drive+axles/s130

Thanks for the info, JIMNLIN, and thanks for the links Bedlam.

From Bedlam's 4500/5500 link, a photo:


By the exposed end-view of the ring-side helical worm-gears, and the adjacent gray bearing cap for the matching worm-gear set, we can conclude that JIMNLIN likely has the same helical gear set-up in his 2500 Ram. This is the highly touted, and bulletproof Torsen type differential that the military AM General HMMWV uses, so it was interesting to hear that it commonly slips with one wheel on ice. Now true, a Torsen type diff is essentially and open diff that relies on substancial gear drag to transfer torque to the wheel with traction; but in contrast, low friction Spider gears found in ordinary open diffs very easily allow one wheel to slip.

The G80, on the other hand, will supposedly lock up on ice, at 100 rpm max slip. Since the G80 uses a positive pawl engagement, there have been cases in the past where a rapid initial slip and violent engagement have broken these parts. They may be more robust, or softened by clutches, now. Note, at one time the breaking strength of Gleason Torsen diffs was a downside, but that has largely been overcome, since purchase by Eaton (Tru-Trac). The Torsen tech is either licensed now, or the patent has run out, as Dana is apparently using the principle.

Wes
...