Identifying a limited slip diff

[dixieflatline]

Because I bought my S3 as a project car it didn't come with much history. However, on one of the few service sheets I do have there's a scribbled note suggesting a slip diff was fitted. Unfortunately because there's no receipt I can't be completely sure, so is there any way I can identify it?

Thanks

Tom

[jeff m]

The left side UJ will be like new

Sorry.
Jack up rear rotate a wheel if the other side goes in the opposite direction it isn't.

[dixieflatline]

I should have pointed out that the car's in pieces so the diff's sitting on a workbench at the moment! I assume the same thing applies? Rotate one side, and if the other goes in the opposite direction it isn't?

In that case I rotated it, it did so it isn't, which is a bit of a shame.

[Gerald-TVR]

dixieflatline said:

In that case I rotated it, it did so it isn't, which is a bit of a shame.

Make sure the propshaft flange isnt rotating and then double check

[crimbo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am9Jvj4Bdjw

Better than words

[dixieflatline]

That's interesting... I'm not at the workshop anymore but I'm pretty sure that when I rotated it, the bit that connects to the prop shaft (is this the prop shaft flange? Still got an awful lot to learn) didn't move at all. I'll go and have another look a bit later, as I could be wrong about that.

[Gerald-TVR]

dixieflatline said:

the bit that connects to the prop shaft (is this the prop shaft flange?

Yep

[dixieflatline]

Ok I popped back up to the workshop to have a look - the propshaft flange isn't rotating and the wheels are going in opposite directions so it looks like it's a standard diff. I dug out the old service sheet and the note about fitting a new diff was quite a long time ago, so maybe it was switched back again. So, I'm a bit disappointed but at least I know what I have now!

[phillpot]

Is the "dog tag" with a series of numbers/letters still attached to one of the bolts ? If there are two A's around the middle (may be AA or ADA etc.) it is a Viscous type LSD from a Granada.

Alternatively hold the prop shaft flange still and try to turn either of the drive shaft flanges. if goes easily fraid its a standard (open) diff but if hard or almost impossible to turn you've got a LSD.

Some folk don't rate viscous LSD's but imho they gotta be better than nothing and darn site cheaper than the "proper" clutch type


HTH Mike

[dixieflatline]

phillpot said:

Is the "dog tag" with a series of numbers/letters still attached to one of the bolts ? If there are two A's around the middle (may be AA or ADA etc.) it is a Viscous type LSD from a Granada.

Nothing attached to the bolts unfortunately. There are the remains of a sticker on the top bracket, with some of the numbers still visible. I googled it yesterday before posting on here, and it seems to refer to a Swedish Ford part as the only results were on Swedish websites. Sadly I can't speak Swedish so I have no idea whether the sticker relates to the diff or to simply to the bracket.

phillpot said:

Alternatively hold the prop shaft flange still and try to turn either of the drive shaft flanges. if goes easily fraid its a standard (open) diff but if hard or almost impossible to turn you've got a LSD.

This was what was confusing me about the video that crimbo posted. When I turn either of the drive shaft flanges, the prop shaft flange stays completely still anyway, unlike in the video. So, holding it still while I turn one of the drive shafts is a bit redundant as it's not moving in the first place!

phillpot said:

Some folk don't rate viscous LSD's but imho they gotta be better than nothing and darn site cheaper than the "proper" clutch type

I would be quite happy with any LSD, viscous or otherwise. A friend of mine who used to have an S told me it was the one really necessary upgrade, so I was really pleased when I found the old service sheet. I need to have a think about whether to try and find a real LSD before I put the car back together.

[ketvrin]

This might help...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

K

[Big Al.]

Added to FAQ as requested.

[ketvrin]

Big Al. said:

Added to FAQ as requested.

Cheers

K

[dixieflatline]

ketvrin said:

This might help...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

K

Yep that did help - I found the dog tag in the end. It was so grimy and weathered that I hadn't realised there was a code on it at all. Anyway... I sanded it off, found the code, checked on the website and it's definitely an open diff.

[phillpot]

dixieflatline said:

I would be quite happy with any LSD, viscous or otherwise. A friend of mine who used to have an S told me it was the one really necessary upgrade, so I was really pleased when I found the old service sheet. I need to have a think about whether to try and find a real LSD before I put the car back together.

Got mine on Ebay (about £80 i think) Not sure my driving skills are up to telling any difference when cornering at high speed but definately helps reduce "boy racer wheelspin" when accelerating enthusiastically.

We'll have to see how it compares on the runway at Cosford

[dixieflatline]

phillpot said:

dixieflatline said:

I would be quite happy with any LSD, viscous or otherwise. A friend of mine who used to have an S told me it was the one really necessary upgrade, so I was really pleased when I found the old service sheet. I need to have a think about whether to try and find a real LSD before I put the car back together.

Got mine on Ebay (about £80 i think) Not sure my driving skills are up to telling any difference when cornering at high speed but definately helps reduce "boy racer wheelspin" when accelerating enthusiastically.

We'll have to see how it compares on the runway at Cosford

I'm going to keep an eye out for one, but I've decided not to worry about it too much for now. If one turns up I can always fit it, but I should probably concentrate on putting the car back together!