how to tell an open diff from a limited slip diff
 

How do you tell an open diff from a limited slip diff? My 90 has an open diff(Im sure), but I pulled the diff off my wrecked 89 the other day, and I think its a limited slip diff. How can I tell for sure if it is or isnt?

if you jack up the rear, with the car in neutral, turn the drive shaft, both tires should turn the same way, then turn one wheel and the other should turn the same way, finally, hold one wheel and try turning the other, it shouldn't turn. if all checks out, it should be a lsd.

I always thought the easy way was to jack the car up, turn one wheel, and if the other wheel turned the opposite direction you have an open diff.

I dont know why I didnt think of this before, but I just compared the known open diff on my 90 GTU to the known limited slip diff on my 84 GSL. heres what I found"

Limited slip - rear end jacked up, car in gear(driveshaft wont turn), wheels spin opposite ways. Car in nuetral, wheels spin same way.

Open - rear end jacked up, car in gear, wheels spin opposite ways. In nuetral, only 1 wheel spins or other wheel barely spins the opposite way.

Well, I guess I was sorta right, every time I've done it I've done it with the car in neutral. :)

Please rate this thread. I think it should be archived.

bump, just in case anyone else wants to read it

i have a 86 gxl and i know that it has a lsd but i think it is not working right because if you spin one wheel they both spin the same way but if hold one wheel you can make it turn and one time i tryed this on a turbo2 in the junk yard and you could not make the other wheel spin so is my diff broken

I have also heard that if your diff. has a yellow dot or tag on the upper part of it, then it is lsd. I do not know if this is true or not so if someone knows could they please tell me.

i have a tag on mine

i have an 86 sport, and i have been told it is supposed to be lsd, but i no its not because when i do my power brake burnouts i only get one wheel burns

Also remember, a clutch type LSD with the clutches burned out (happens on 15+ year old cars) will act just like an open differential.

-=Russ=-

My brother bought a Torsen for his 240, and the wheels still spin the opposite direction. :D

Correct, the opposite wheel should turn the in the same direction

WTF is up with people bringing back 3 year old threads today?