Alright my XJ is a '96 4.0L AW4 4x4 with a Dana 30 up front and a Chrysler 8.25 in the rear. I was driving to school today and got stuck at a light. The Light turned green, and I applied the throttle. My right rear wheel was on a patch of snow and my left rear wheel was on wet asphalt. My Jeep wasn't moving at all because my right wheel was spinning on on the snow. I thought limited slip differentials transfer power to the wheel with the most grip so why did this happen?

 

are you sure you have one ls in there

 

Common misconception. An LSD is not a Posi. There does come a point where it will do a "one-wheel-peel". My truck has a factory LSD and in deep snow it will act like an open diff. It applies traction equally only if going straight and both wheels have grip. If neither of these are true, it will apply fractional traction to the opposite wheel while the other spins. If one is one ice, it most likely would do as you say.

 

It could also be that your LSD's clutches are worn. You should get at least a little movement out of it if you are on even pavement and moving straight.

 

I had a 96 with lsd and i could do burnouts (they where fun) and drift great in snowy parking lots. But when one tire was stuck enough (ie deep snow or mud) then only the right rear tire would spin. lsd applies traction equally untill it reaches a certain point where it take the path of least resistance, aka one wheel wonder with the least traction.

But since it did it at a light like you described, it sounds like an open diff or the lsd doesnt work anymore.

 

Sounds like an open diff to me.

 

Actually, I was not entirely correct. I said "an LSD wasn't a POSI". Actually they ARE the same. Oops, brain fart. My statement on how an LSD works is accurate though. As has been stated again, there does come a point where an LSD will spin one tire only, however SOME traction should be going to the other wheel. It may be a tiny bit, like 5% power or so, but unless there is something blocking the tire, like a good sized rock or something, you should have moved a little bit.

How did you get unstuck?

Sounds like you may have an open diff or worn LSD.

 

pull it apart and see

 

put it in 4wd, move, take out of 4wd. Done.

 

That would certainly be one way of doing it.

 

That's not quite right either.....Posi IS a LSD. Posi or Positraction is a Chevrolet term or nomenclature for their version of a limited slip differential.

There are 3 basic types/kinds of differentials: Open, Limited Slip and Locking.......and in that order from least to most traction.

 

he already corrected himself

Its time for a locker man!

 

Yep, my bad, as I was typing I got a phone call then finished typing my post not realizing the correction.

 

Thanks, already have one. LOL One wheel on the ground, one wheel in the air, they both turn the same speed. Now that's traction. Don't leave home without it.

 

Yep me to. Unless someone ordered it with LSD or put it in you most likely have an open rear. I used to get both wheels spinning in back and I had an open rear...Tj