limited slip diff.?
limited slip diff.?
Old [Sch|F]ool
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,856
Likes: 568
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Short answer, '81-85.
In the US, only the GSL and GSL-SE models came with it from the factory. Basically, if it has rear disc brakes, it came with it. However some people would take their cars back complaining of chattering/vibration when accelerating from a stop and turning at the same time, like making a right turn from a stop sign. This is caused by the clutch plates chattering, and it isn't really a problem (my GSL does it) but when limited slip centersections weren't available to put in, some dealers would just put an open differential in. Because of this (and a decade of more of unknown tinkerers/mechanics), just because a car has rear discs doesn't mean it has a limited slip, and just because it's a GSL or -SE doesn't even mean it has rear discs anymore!
The only sure way to check for an LSD is to put the car in neutral, handbrake off (chock front tires!), jack up ONE wheel and try to turn it. It should be be difficult to turn, and if you try progressively harder it will break free at some point. If it doesn't break free, check the other side to make sure you don't just have a binding brake. If it offers little to no resistance, either it's an open diff, or the LSD has burned out clutches and no longer limits anything.
In the US, only the GSL and GSL-SE models came with it from the factory. Basically, if it has rear disc brakes, it came with it. However some people would take their cars back complaining of chattering/vibration when accelerating from a stop and turning at the same time, like making a right turn from a stop sign. This is caused by the clutch plates chattering, and it isn't really a problem (my GSL does it) but when limited slip centersections weren't available to put in, some dealers would just put an open differential in. Because of this (and a decade of more of unknown tinkerers/mechanics), just because a car has rear discs doesn't mean it has a limited slip, and just because it's a GSL or -SE doesn't even mean it has rear discs anymore!
The only sure way to check for an LSD is to put the car in neutral, handbrake off (chock front tires!), jack up ONE wheel and try to turn it. It should be be difficult to turn, and if you try progressively harder it will break free at some point. If it doesn't break free, check the other side to make sure you don't just have a binding brake. If it offers little to no resistance, either it's an open diff, or the LSD has burned out clutches and no longer limits anything.
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