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what kind of locker for front diff
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brianjwilson
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Don't put a locker up front of an AWD. The thing will drive in a strait line. Get a manual transfer case is you want a locker in the front.
sparkyXplorer
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or else a selectable locker...
IZwack
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Hmm.. lets expand on this lockers on an AWD system for a sec and do a thought experiment:
We all know that the AWD transfer case is not a 100% solid connection between the rear and front driveshaft in normal driving conditions.
We know this because:
If the AWD transfer case didn't allow for any slip (in other words, its a 100% connection between the rear and front driveshaft), then this "AWD" system would be exactly the same as putting a selectable 4wd transfer case, with open differentials all around, into 4HI or 4LO and making a tight turn -- which of course would lead to either a stalled engine or squeeling tires.
Now that we've proven that the AWD system is not a 100% connection (again in normal driving conditions):
What I'm thinking is that it shouldn't matter whether or not the vehicle is AWD or a selectable 4wd (with 4HI and 4LO), it will still make turns with lockers on both axles.
The behavior of the vehicle wanting to go "straight" is a property of the axle itself and is not related to the other axle because an axle that wants to go straight means it is forcing the same exact RPM to both of the axle's tires -- which the locker will want to do but will eventually click or bang to release torsional or RPM difference during a turn. Because this wanting to go straight behavior is not related to the other axle and is inherent only to one axle as a single unit, that means it does not matter what type of transfer case is being used -- AWD or selectable 4wd.
Of course, this is just the result of a thought experiment and it still needs to be proven
We all know that the AWD transfer case is not a 100% solid connection between the rear and front driveshaft in normal driving conditions.
We know this because:
If the AWD transfer case didn't allow for any slip (in other words, its a 100% connection between the rear and front driveshaft), then this "AWD" system would be exactly the same as putting a selectable 4wd transfer case, with open differentials all around, into 4HI or 4LO and making a tight turn -- which of course would lead to either a stalled engine or squeeling tires.
Now that we've proven that the AWD system is not a 100% connection (again in normal driving conditions):
What I'm thinking is that it shouldn't matter whether or not the vehicle is AWD or a selectable 4wd (with 4HI and 4LO), it will still make turns with lockers on both axles.
The behavior of the vehicle wanting to go "straight" is a property of the axle itself and is not related to the other axle because an axle that wants to go straight means it is forcing the same exact RPM to both of the axle's tires -- which the locker will want to do but will eventually click or bang to release torsional or RPM difference during a turn. Because this wanting to go straight behavior is not related to the other axle and is inherent only to one axle as a single unit, that means it does not matter what type of transfer case is being used -- AWD or selectable 4wd.
Of course, this is just the result of a thought experiment and it still needs to be proven
gijoecam
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The problem when turning with a locker in the front is that *if* it locks (and some lockers do this unpredictably), the inside tire wants to turn just as much as the outside tire. The direction of the two torques tends to try and drive the front inside wheel straight, and drag the outside wheel, also straightening it.
Also, (and IMHO, the bigger issue) with a locker in the front end, is that it puts tremendous stresses on the front halfshafts which aren't designed for those kinds of loads. If you need traction, I would use a selectable locker, or a good quality limited slip like a TruTrac or Torsen diff. (nothing clutch-based for me) It's much more forgiving on the front drivetrain components when it's being used to force traction on a slipping wheel, and at the same time, differentiation during normal driving is not an issue either.
Just my .02...
-Joe
Also, (and IMHO, the bigger issue) with a locker in the front end, is that it puts tremendous stresses on the front halfshafts which aren't designed for those kinds of loads. If you need traction, I would use a selectable locker, or a good quality limited slip like a TruTrac or Torsen diff. (nothing clutch-based for me) It's much more forgiving on the front drivetrain components when it's being used to force traction on a slipping wheel, and at the same time, differentiation during normal driving is not an issue either.
Just my .02...
-Joe
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