jeep93

This is a Limited slip differential right?? (pictured below). Its how it looks inside my rear diff on my 1998 xj's rear axle (factory dana 35). Some helpfull forum members in the chat section gave me a couple of tests to do..
1.jack up one side and try to turn the wheel.. if it doesnt turn then its prob an LSD. mine wouldnt turn.
or
2.jack whole back end and turn one of the wheels. if the other wheel turns in same direction then you prob have an LSD. mine turned in the same direction.

also told that if the gears look enclosed then thats another sign of an LSD. However, searching google I found some pics of a locked diff, and they looked a LOT like mine...
Sorry if this seems like a dumb question to you jeep veterns out there.. Im still learning, and i just want to really know my cherokee, and know for sure what its got running back there!.
All opinions very welcome..

rkirk31

that looks like a open diff to me

jeep93

ok - now im officially confused!

OOdynamite

X2

rkirk31

from what i have seen lockers will be completely enclosed where you can see the smaller gears, and a lsd will have clutches and springs in that open area, i am no mechanic but from what i have been looking at for my jeep that is what i have seen

xjfanatic

yup...definitely an open diff...with a dana 35 that is not really a bad thing though because it is not a very strong axle and limited slip is a traction increasing form of differential. Better tire traction equals more force on the axle, which is hard for a dana 35 when taken offroad or driven hard on street. Just a little info for ya hth

DaddyCat

This should help:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f59/8...-slip-1037247/

xjfanatic

you got me on that one...it looks like it may be a limited slip...every limited slip i have worked on has looked like this

or something like that with a variation of springs and or clutches

jeep93

Thanks for all the feedback guys - and for the link daddycat... times like this that I realise how much ive got to learn!

djb383

We've got pics of both open and lsd carriers/diffs so I'll through in a pick of a lunchbox locker installed in a 8.25" open carrier.

jeep93

nice pic djb!... interesting to see.
Im now pretty sure I have an open diff... but when I try the wheel turning tests it behaves like a lsd.. mabye got something jamming back there??.. I'll look into it further and let you all know what the outcome is - thanks for all the advice and opinions guys.

TheJerm

Best way to know if its a lsd is to find a dirt road, mash the pedal and let some dirt fly. If it leaves 1 tire trail, open, if it leaves 2 tire trails, lsd.

I think every d35 ive seen and had was lsd, I'm saying lsd cause ive never seen an open d35 before. Some work better than others depending on wear. Still isnt worth more than its weight in scrap.

Hoooper

You can easily get false positives with this. Open diffs can and often will spin both tires. Best way is to jack up the rear and spin a tire and watch what the other side does

TheJerm

I guess if you dont know the difference between one wheel wonders and lsd's. but yes you can jack it up and whatnot but its not as fun

Hoooper

Even doing it going straight, on asphalt, is not a guarantee. I've seen enough one wheelers put down two stripes that I only trust the jack test