are the posi clutches in my rear end bad?

Question

lately when i hold the brake and hit the gas, only the right wheel is spinning. but sometimes, they both spin. when i try to do a burnout, or launch for a drag race, only one wheel spins. but the other day, i held on the brakes and just slammed on the gas, and i layed rubber, 2 thick black lines. is this normal or do i have a problem? the posi used to work, i haven't abused it to the point where it should have been damaged. could it be low fluid or something like that?

its an 88 Camaro. it DOES have a limited slip. i think its a 7.75 rear end.

Answer 1

that is what a limited slip rear end is sumpose to do. when one tire has less grip it spins
In automotive applications, a limited slip differential (LSD) is a modified or derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in rotational velocity of the output shafts, but does not allow the difference in speed to increase beyond a preset amount. In an automobile, such limited slip differentials are sometimes used in place of a standard differential, where they convey certain dynamic advantages, at the expense of greater complexity.The main advantage of a limited slip differential is found by considering the case of a standard (or "open") differential where one wheel has no contact with the ground at all. In such a case, the contacting wheel will remain stationary, and the non-contacting wheel will rotate freely– the torque transmitted will be equal at both wheels, but will not exceed the threshold of torque needed to move the vehicle, thus the vehicle will remain stationary. In everyday use on typical roads, such a situation is very unlikely, and so a normal differential suffices. For more demanding use however, such as driving off-road, or for high performance vehicles, such a state of affairs is undesirable, and the LSD can be employed to deal with it. By limiting the velocity difference between a pair of driven wheels, useful torque can be transmitted as long as there is some friction available on at least one of the wheels.

The only cars I know of that used the Gov Lock were some of the mid '80s Camaros and Firebirds with the 7.5 rear ends. The one with the weights is a Governor Lock. It is designed for trucks and works very well when used for what it was designed for. It has a lot of small parts that break when abused. They even break sometimes when not abused. I have rebuilt many of these and the parts are not cheap. The posi is a lot more durable for performance cars. If you have a problem telling the difference


Rear Axle, Posi Clutch Overhaul Kit
Part Number: K00084

Overhaul kit for 12 bolt posi-traction clutches
Rear Axle, Pinion Shaft Lock Screw
Part Number: K00081

Pinion shaft lock screw used on 12 bolt axle housing.

Answer 2

If you have a limited slip differential, that is how it is supposed to work. Both will only spin under hard acceleration or if the power side loses too much traction. Unless you are hearing sounds from the differential (under power, or spinning by hand, or if you have a bent axle, I would say the limited-slip rear end is working just fine.

MIKEY!!!

Answer 3

You didn't say what sort of rear end it is or what vehicle. I know that GM has an additive to put in to keep the clutches working properly. And a properly maintained posi will last WAYYY more than 20k miles despite what a "top contributor" on Yahoo! Answers may tell you.

Answer 4

You may be able to save it by changing the fluid and add some friction modifier like Slip-Lock( AMS oil product) and then drive in figure 8's to work it in. If that doesn't work then you may need to tear down and inspect.

Answer 5

Try Summit Racing

Answer 6

They're bad. Those things only last for 20,000 miles or so. They go bad a lot quicker when you drive like an idiot. You can get new clutch kits that go in pretty easy.

Answer 7

First thing I would do is change the fluid..... I just changed the fluid in mine, and the ****** who had my durango before me filled the rear with 1 pint..... it is supposed to have 5. Good thing I changed it.

Answer 8

sounds like normal limited slip performance.

Answer 9

they have additive,you put in the rear end,to make them not slip.sounds like limited slip,sometimes.

Answer 10

try chaging the fluid first...but yeah. it probably is bad. those things only last about 20,000 miles or so.