diff question
 

about how long are the cluch packs in the diff suppose to be good for on the limited slip diff?

I ask because someone noted that only one rear wheel was spinning when I was just testing out my tires

Depends how you use the car. I bought the car with 20k miles on it, did 1.5 season and it looks like I'm getting to the end of the clutch pack's life.

You should check these:

1. The axles end play, it should be less than 0.030in. You need a dial gauge to that properly. The left wheel will usually have more

2. The breakaway torque - it should be more than 20lbft. Here's how to check that: http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=76&viewfile...e%20System.pdf. One note, I don't think you need a 200ftlb torque wrench and the 205-022 tool they mention if you're going to have the breakaway torque close to 20ftlbs. You just put the torque wrench on a lug nut and keep the wrench at a proper angle so you don't add extra toque to the measurement.

Also remember that the stock limited slip is torque sensitive. It means that when you have one wheel on something very slippery like ice or fine gravel the LSD might not engage at all.

thanks I'm at about 78k miles (bought it new in 2006) so it sounds like its likely worn

the wheel not spinning was seen on a fairly clean dry cement surface (big empty parking lot near work)

luckily I plan to upgrade to a 4.10 anyway

so which diff would you recommend? for a daily driver with occasional visits to the 1/4 track and occasional fun at lights

You might have had the best stock differential EVER!

Look, the stock organic discs don't last long. Honestly on R-comps about 5 events with two drivers the thing is done for. Carbon's don't work any better than organic clutches in performance, but they last LOT longer. As the saying goes, they suck, but they suck for a long time. :)

Ford Dude probably needs to know that the combination of sticky rear tires and hard cornering under as much power as the tires can stand is about the worst abuse that a limited slip diff is ever likely to see. The limited slip wants to keep the two wheels spinning at the same speed, but the cornering and the sticky tires won't let it. So the clutch plates are forced to slip against each other under heavy load.

Drag racing is relatively mild by comparison.


Norm

I would love to go run on a race track with road course but the closest one I found is a bit to costly

the drag strip is definetly fun but its also fun to take some corners hard when traffic and what not allow

I'm not sure at what point the diff wore out but from whats said at 78k I'm sure its likely

so would you suggest getting a new set just like it had stock or would another one be better? if so which one