How should an LSD feel? My first LSD

[rcx106]

I fitted my first LSD on a 4x4. It's a hundred times smoother than the old lock-rite diff (which used to lock under acceleration).

Sometimes when I move off at low speed and full steering turn, the rear judders as though the LSD is not letting the wheels turn at different enough speeds to let the turn happen smoothly. Is this normal?

The LSD has supposedly done 70'000 according to the breakers yard that sold it. At what point would an LSD typically need a service? And what are the symptoms of the LSD mechanism being worn? This is off a XE-C Vitara and I believe that the LSD has friction discs in it but not sure.

[FRMATT]

I'm pretty sure that's normal, as the name suggests the slip between the speeds of each wheel is limited.

I've experienced similar in an mx5 set up for drifting

[andyiley]

I must admit that a couple of years ago I had an LSD on my 328 bm that did what you say & when I stripped it, it was completely shot, I now have another & it does not do this.

[BritishRacinGrin]

Some race cars do this to the point that you can't push them with more than a handful of degrees of steering lock. It's because they're set up to lock with the smallest amount of slip. I wouldn't expect this to be normal for a road car diff.

[rcx106]

Sometimes the slip feels very lumpy as well. I think I need to take a look inside and check it's ok.

[aka_kerrly]

clicking from the diff during low speed/large amounts of steering lock are quite normal.

[Talkwrench]

Its perfectly normal to have some chatter just as you are describing. Did you put the correct oil in, suitable for LSD's? If the chatter is excessive you can add a friction modifier to reduce chatter (on the old Interceptors, this was actually recommended in the workshop manual!). Redline do an excellent one though others are available. It shouldn't really be necessary with that diff though if the correct oil is used.
If it is just a bit of a click or a groan on full lock, don't worry about it.

[rcx106]

Thanks, this is all reassuring. But I'm moving the LSD to my spare Vitara anyway as I'm fitting some pneumatic lockers, so I will strip it down anyway just to check.