"locking" differential

[roughrider17]

Hey guys,
I know the locking rear in my 2002 trac isnt a "true" locker, but i simply do not understand how it works.

I know when i do a burnout with some light snow both tires spin, however there has been instances where one wheel will spin and the other wouldnt, so id just like to be cleared up on how exactly this works

Thank you so much, Roughrider

 

[01STrunner]

You have a limited slip differential not a locking rear end (couldn't get those in STs).

So theres the 3 types of diffs: open, LS, and locked

Open: the 2 axle shafts can spin at different speeds

LS: A clutch pack is used to lock the 2 axle shafts together, but the clutches and springs wear out over time which cause it to not work as well. Or in the case of my Powerstroke, there's just too much torque for the stock clutches to handle so they don't grab like they're supposed to. This is similar to a clutch used to shift gears in that too much power and also wear cause it not to work as well. Check out this link and go to page 5.

Locking: In this type of diff, the axle shafts are mechanically locked together unlike the clutches in a LS. The axle shafts aren't allowed to spin at different speed when the diff is locked.

Hope this helps!

 

[roughrider17]

Thank you so much!! that really helps me out haha !

 

[01STrunner]

Glad to help ya! Just for the heck of it check out this video starting at 1:31. It's crazy the difference a locker makes.