Okay guys . Last night taking my 2wd xj out . It almost took a dive . Left tire hanging in thin air , and back right in the air . Three it in reverse hoping for LSD . No luck ? I got a push out but still does it work in reverse ? Is mine bad ?

 

You are getting how a LIMITED slip device works wrong.

If you have NO traction to one wheel... an LSD works just like a open diff. One wheel with no traction.. and all the power goes to that wheel.

If you have one wheel that has less traction than the other, it sends SOME of the power from the wheel that has less traction to the wheel that has more.

 

There are clutch packs and a springs that provide pressure to the clutch packs. The wheels will want to turn at the same speed until enough force develops to overcome the resistance of the clutch packs. That is why you can make turns with a posi/ limited slip. That is called the break away. Different units have a different amount of ftlbs needed to slip the clutches. A factory T/L is around 80-100 ftlbs, An auburn HP is around 150 ftlbs and the auburn pro is around 230 ftlbs.

Miles

 

However, by this point in your XJ's life the limited slip clutches are probably so worn there isn't much limiting happening anymore. It is certainly not something I tend to rely on in low-traction situations. If you are serious about wheeling with your 2wd, a locker is certainly a high priority.

 

Book ('98) says anywhere from 30 ft/lbs to 200 ft/lbs is within factory spec for the T/L diff.

Here's a decent video explaining/demonstrating an open diff, limited slip and locking diff. Forget that it says Eaton G80, that's just a particular brand/model of locking diff. There are numerous brands/models of both limited slip and locking diffs.

 

Only thing that will help you when one wheel is in the air is a locker or spool. Limited slips are as useless as open diffs offroad imo.

 

So what is a locker exactly and what do they do ?

 

Just what it means locks both axles together . Locker takes the place of an open diff . There are many kinds . Google Detroit locker , eaton E locker , ARB has an air locker .

 

There are several different types of lockers, but when locked, they all serve the same person. Lock the axle, so both wheels are turning at the same rate. What an open differential does is allow each wheel to turn at different rates. This is good for going around a turn, because each both driving wheels on the Jeep follow a different turning "radius". The open differential is bad for off roading, however, because if you are in a situation where one tire has less traction than the other, it will send more power to the wheel with less traction-think of electricity, it always follows the path of least resistance. Same with engine power.

Now, for a locker. The cheapest type of locker you can get is an "automatic" locker, which uses torque to mechanically lock each half of your axle. The more expensive type of lockers are selectable. These are available as electrically or mechanically engaged, or using compressed air. The benefit to these is that your differential can function as an open differential when you want it too, with 100% certainty. Automatic lockers are designed to also act as an open differential when it is needed, but they are known to be loud, and sometimes unpredictable, especially to a less experienced user. Sometimes, automatic lockers can engage when you don't necessarily need or want them to- this usually occurs on the roads, rather than offroad.