5 Benefits of a Limited Slip Differential (How it Works and Its Cons)

There are three types of differentials that a vehicle could have; open differentials, locking differentials, and limited slip differentials (LSD). The function of any differential is to transmit engine power to the wheels. This is how wheels can rotate at various speeds.

While an open differential would still power any wheels that are losing traction, a limited slip differential (aka: limited slip diff) would provide additional torque to the wheel that has traction and reduce the torque of the wheel that is slipping.

This can have its pros and cons, depending on the type of terrain you’re driving the vehicle.

Benefits of a Limited Slip Differential

1) Off-Road Traction

off road

Compared to an open differential, you will get better off-road traction with a limited slip differential. This is due to the limited slip differential transmitting power into the wheels which have traction to them.

2) Paved Surfaces

BMW driving on windy road

As good as limited slip differentials are off-road, they are even better on paved surfaces. The performance will be excellent as the traction is near perfect.

This is why many of today’s high performance vehicles such as the BMW M3, Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Subaru WRX feature limited slip differentials.

3) Less Tire Wear

worn tire treads

Since the limited slip differential can take power away from a wheel that is losing traction and give more power to other wheels with traction, this helps prevent excessive wear on the tires. Otherwise, the tire with limited traction would simply spin in place and wear at a faster rate.

4) Less Axle Shaft Wear

The axle shafts won’t have too much stress and pressure put on them during turns because they have the ability to rotate at various speeds. This means they won’t get worn down as much.

5) Not Too Expensive

A limited slip differential will not be a terribly costly upgrade to make on your vehicle if one is available. For those that upgrade to a limited slip diff, most spend somewhere in the range of $600 and $1,200 to get this done, which is not a lot if you think about it.

Disadvantages of a Limited Slip Differential

1) Lack of Full Power to Wheels

rear axle

If there is a wheel with traction, the limited slip differential won’t be able to provide all the power to it.

It will always have to transmit a small amount of power to the wheel that doesn’t have traction, even though it has taken a lot of power away from it. Therefore, it can’t give transmit 100% power to just one wheel.

2) Traction is Hard to Manage

how limited slip differential works

You won’t always be able to predict what the traction is going to do when you’re on rough terrain with rocks, mud, and sand on it. While the limited slip differential will send some power to the wheels losing traction, it won’t be a continuous supply of power.

Once other wheels start to lose traction, the differential will transmit more of the power over to them. As a result, the vehicle could end up being pulled to just one side.

3) Not all the Same

A limited slip differential won’t be the same in every vehicle that has it. In addition to fixed value LSD, torque sensitive, speed sensitive, and electronically controlled variations of LSD exist. Some will be able to control various elements differently.

Therefore, don’t get used to one kind of limited slip differential and think it will be the same in another car that has one, because it won’t.

Read also: Top 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Double Clutch Transmission

How a Limited Slip Differential Works

A differential is designed to let a set of wheels rotate at their own separate speeds. Most vehicles have one differential in the front axle or rear axle, depending on whether it is a front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive vehicle. However, an all-wheel-drive vehicle would have two separate differentials for the front and rear axles.

Related: FWD vs RWD vs AWD vs 4WD

The main purpose of a differential is to help the vehicle make stable turns. But there are different types of differentials which function in their own unique way.

The two most common differentials are open differentials and limited-slip differentials. The former is great for turning on clearer roads while the latter is better for road conditions which will likely cause your wheels to slip.

In a limited-slip differential, engine torque is distributed evenly to each wheel on the axle. Ideally, it is better to drive on roads that are clear when you have this differential. But if you drive over mud or ice on the road, one of your wheels may lose traction as it spins.

See Also: How to Do a Burnout in an Automatic Car or Truck

In order to prevent this wheel from slipping on the road, the limited-slip differential takes away some of the torque energy from the slipping wheel.

As a result, you can make hard turns much more easily and reduce slippage in the process. If you had the more common open differential, it would not be able to reduce slippage as you make hard turns.

That is why it’s a huge benefit to use a limited-slip differential if you live in areas which commonly get snow, rain, mud, ice, and other nasty road conditions.

A limited-slip differential contains different clutch discs which are secured by springs. When a wheel experiences slippage, the tension increases between the different clutch discs. This will cause more resistance to occur between the two wheels on the axle, resulting in limited slippage.

This type of differential needs more maintenance than an open differential. Be sure to replace the differential fluid periodically because this keeps the clutch discs functioning normally.

An auto mechanic can perform all the maintenance and repair work needed. But it is important that you understand the potential of a limited-slip differential and why it is a good investment if living in an area with certain road conditions that call for it.

Kevin

7 thoughts on “5 Benefits of a Limited Slip Differential (How it Works and Its Cons)”

  1. does this drive alike a posi, slightly pulling around corners or is it a happy medium between posi and open diff. and the important one… can it do a good 2 tire burnout

    Reply
  2. Good job buddy! I have a charger rt road and track. I lowered it 1″, installed a hellcat snorkel intake, fatter tires, etc. Its not super fast but I have been toying with the idea of an LSD to get more power to the pavement. You have convinced me to make this my next mod. Thank you!

    Reply

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