Posi rear groaning and shuttering a little

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Oct 14, 2011 | 04:55 AM
  #1  
After driving my 99 with a posi rear for a while when I pull into a parking lot or just generally turn sharp it kind of groans and shudders slightly. It is definitely coming from the back of the vehicle, and it stops the second I go straight again. This tells me it is in the rear differential. I don't know much about posi's other than I think they have clutches in them that slip, making it LIKE a differential, just....tighter. I will tear into it, check that everything is tight and has the right backlash and everything, and change the fluid. Any other heads up I should be looking for while I'm in there? Don't know much about posi's, but I have done transmisions and setup ring and pinions and stuff like that. Thanks.
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Oct 14, 2011 | 06:05 AM
  #2  
Mopar has an additive for the limited slips. Might be all you need. When's the last time you changed the fluid and did you use the right stuff?
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Oct 14, 2011 | 09:32 AM
  #3  
Just bought this vehicle, today was the first drive into work with it. So, no idea what is in it. If nothing else I was going to change the fluid with the right stuff, and while I was in there, just look around. Actually, I noticed today that it seems to do it more when turning partway, not all the way sharp. A few people that I have talked to today say that is normal for a posi rear car, especially a relatively short wheelbase car, and others say no way that is normal. Seems like a short wheelbase car would have a bigger differance in inside wheel speed versus outside wheel speed. Plus Jeeps turn in pretty sharp compared to a long pickup truck which is more common to have a posi. I am babbling now..............
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Oct 14, 2011 | 10:01 AM
  #4  
What do you mean by POSI. The stock LSD, which sounds to be working, but in need of oil and additive. OR are we discussing an aftermarket unit?
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Oct 14, 2011 | 11:41 AM
  #5  
"Posi" or "Posi-Traction" is a Chevy brand name for their version of a clutch type limited slip diff. I believe Trac-Loc is the Chrysler/Jeep name.....either way, they are both limited slip diffs. I'd start with a clean out and gear oil change. If it still makes a noise, and u are positive it is a factory LSD, then poll the plug and add the small tube of friction modifier. If the LSD doesn't chatter in a turn, it doesn't need the modifier additive as the additive just makes it slip more/easier which means slightly less torque to both wheels (in a turn).
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Oct 14, 2011 | 11:44 AM
  #6  
Change the gear oil (75w-90) with a friction modifier and you should be good. Mine did that when I first got it too, changing it made an immediate difference no more noises.
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Oct 14, 2011 | 01:53 PM
  #7  
Well, the guy I bought it from said it was a factory "posi", I guess that means it is an LSD as was said, they are basically the same thing. When I turn corners on dirt roads the inside tire spins a little, so I am sure it's not just a standard open diff.
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Oct 14, 2011 | 01:57 PM
  #8  
Agreed change fluid with the right stuff and additive and all should be better.
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Oct 14, 2011 | 02:00 PM
  #9  
Quote: Well, the guy I bought it from said it was a factory "posi", I guess that means it is an LSD as was said, they are basically the same thing. When I turn corners on dirt roads the inside tire spins a little, so I am sure it's not just a standard open diff.
Spinning 1 tire in dirt sounds like an open diff or possibly a worn out clutch type lsd. Even a worn out lsd will spin both wheels the same direction when the axle (both wheels) is raised. Open diff, wheels spin opposite direction.
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Oct 15, 2011 | 11:20 AM
  #10  
Quote: Spinning 1 tire in dirt sounds like an open diff or possibly a worn out clutch type lsd. Even a worn out lsd will spin both wheels the same direction when the axle (both wheels) is raised. Open diff, wheels spin opposite direction.
I just verified that it is an LSD.
When I say "spin the inside tire" I don't mean step on the gas and just the inside tire spins, I mean just idling around the corner the inside tire just turns over a little bit. When I hit the gas, both tires spin.
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Oct 15, 2011 | 12:59 PM
  #11  
My Auburn LSD was making the same noises. It has about 4000 on it. I changed the break in oil at 500, and it started making noises about 3500. I put 80-90w with 6oz additive in, just like the book said. Took it over to OK4wd, and opened it back up. Everything looked good, so we put in Amsoil 75-140w, and 8oz. of additive. Nice and quiet now, and still works the way it should. I don't crawl over really tough stuff, because it is my daily driver. If I did I would have bought a real locker.
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Oct 15, 2011 | 02:24 PM
  #12  
Quote: I just verified that it is an LSD.
When I say "spin the inside tire" I don't mean step on the gas and just the inside tire spins, I mean just idling around the corner the inside tire just turns over a little bit. When I hit the gas, both tires spin.
Post a pic when get the cover off.....who knows, u could have a "real" locker.
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Oct 23, 2011 | 10:00 AM
  #13  
Finally got it apart. Kind of looks like a regular open differential to me. That's bad news. Other opinions? Looks like just regular spider gears to me.

Posi rear groaning and shuttering a little-diff.jpg   Posi rear groaning and shuttering a little-diff2.jpg  

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Oct 23, 2011 | 11:27 AM
  #14  
Quote: Finally got it apart. Kind of looks like a regular open differential to me. That's bad news. Other opinions? Looks like just regular spider gears to me.
Looks like a limited slip carrier to me.

Its a trac lock
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Oct 23, 2011 | 11:54 AM
  #15  
Yep, looks like the factory clutch-type LSD (kinda squared off). Here's a before/after C8.25 open/locked.

Posi rear groaning and shuttering a little-019.jpg   Posi rear groaning and shuttering a little-021.jpg  

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