a question about limited slip differentials?

Question

why is a limited slip differential so important in drifting and stuff. i know its good to have, but why exactly. what are the advantages and disadvantages of one. and do cars normally come with one, because im driving my mothers 2000 ford focus and according to howstuffworks.com, it would be hard to turn the car without one, and it doesnt seem difficult at all. does that mean it has one.

Answer 1

It's a NON issue in the case of your mother's Ford Focus because it's front wheel drive. Limited slip differentials are only used on SOME rear wheel drive, or four wheel drive vehicles on the rear differenatial only. The purspose of a limited slip differential is to allow LIMITED slippage between the two axle shafts during a turning maneuver, when different axle shaft rotation speeds are required, hence the name. The intended benefit is to enable a vehicle to accelerate on slippery road surfaces if one wheel of the drive wheels becomes stuck. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

you are combining 2 things that need to be separated for explanation.

differential--in a rear drive vehicle the differential is a system of gears that allow the 2 rear wheels to spin at different speeds simultaneously. it is important for steering the vehicle, especially when turning. it can direct the power from the engine to the wheel that needs it most. a way to illustrate this is, you are sitting at a stop sign, you want to turn right 90 degrees. when you proceed into your turn the passenger side rear wheel has to make less revolutions than the drivers side rear wheel. if the wheels turn the same amount it will push you straight ahead. the front wheels will be turned, but just skid along in the forward direction.


limited slip differential-- this is a type of differential usually equipped on trucks for pulling big loads or for off road driving. it allows the both rear wheels to spin at the same time. it is for increased traction. it can disengage for turning. cars dont have it ( maybe some suv types do)..


the differential is in the rear end of a rear wheel drive vehicle. on a picup truck, where the rear axles are, that big bulb shaped place in the middle. thats is where the gears are.

Answer 3

limited slip means that when the car senses that the main drive tire is spinning the differential transfers to the opposite side to gain traction. I personally don't like the traction control and in my Bonneville I could turn this off and did.
The reason for the turning issue is the same as in a 4x4. when the front is locked in the front differential will 'Bind". This means since both axles are locked in the wheels can't turn as far.

Answer 4

Because with a limited slip differential you have a clucth inside the differential that connects both axles together, and provides limited slippage around turns to compensate for the outer wheel in a turn travelling a farther distance than the inner. So, with both of your wheels spinning, it allows the back end of your car to slide unlike a uni-track that transfers power from one wheel to the other preventing any sliding and giving better stability. Limited slip differentials were developed to provide better traction going straight ahead on powerful, and industry vehicles.

Answer 5

A LSD put drive to both wheels even in the event one is one a slipier surface.

For example, one wheel is on the dirt while the other is on the bituman, you floor it in an non LSD diff and you will only spin the one on the dirt. If you had a LSD you would get grip from both wheels.

Same if your going around a corner fast, the wheel with the least grip will spin(smoke) while the other does not. If you have a LSD both wheels will be driving the car istead of one giving more tractions.

Normally in drift cars they have locked diffs not LSD, this is taking the LSD to the next steep. But it is a dog to drive on the road as your wheel are always turning at the same speed.

Answer 6

A differential is the gear in the center of the back axel, a non limited slip axel allows one wheel to freewheel while the other has power, or else when you turned a corner the outside wheel travels father than the inside wheel, and if the wheels had to turn at the same speed the inside wheel would have to break traction and spin in place. So the differential gear allows them to turn at different rates.

But if you are on ice , one wheel on ice and one wheel on pavement, the slippery wheel would get the power and the other wheel wouldn't and this causes problems. a limited slip differential notices this BIg difference in wheel speed and lock the wheels up so they turn at the same rate and allow you to move forward.

Answer 7

I think the limited differential is in reference to auto or manual??? differencials is based on the ratios and depending on the car whether it is a FWD or RWD the settings for the steering and the and shifting work together. I know about these because i had an issue with my transmission and had to talk to the mechanic and then i had some brain wizzard expain this and i also know the car business.

Answer 8

The new fad of "drifting" is extremely hard on cars, esp. rear ends. Drifting means the car is on the raw edge of control and loosing control. The Focus is front driven and most likely not positraction. Posi is mostly for rear wheel driven cars and even "all-wheel drive" cars are not posis either. Posi-traction is used best for drag racing or better handling on slick roads with judicious (cautious) use of power.

Answer 9

Your focus does not have limited slip.The only FWD that i,ve seen with a limited slip would be race cars.Your focus operates like any other rear differential that,s open.It, s just part of the transaxle

Answer 10

a lsd is used in drifting because it spins both wheels now if you have astock rear end it only spins one wheel and dosent look good and youll spend alot more in tires..........

now in drag racing you get a posi which is almost the same but with a posi 2 wheels are spinning reguardless so when you lauch you dont go in the next lane......................

their are really no negitives to any of them but stock isnt so good



2 guys down an a dirt road both tires spin reguardless in my 91 caprice ill do a burnout 1 wheel peel on dirt posi.