Buying: how to tell if LSD fitted?

[vertew]

Hi,
Looks like I may soon be joining the ranks of Caterham owners - let that sun shine for just a little longer ...

I'm looking at a very nice privately advertised 2003 roadsport SV. The seller tells me it has an LSD fitted, but doesn't have any documentation to prove it. Everything he's told me has been accurate so far and I've no reason to doubt him, but - the LSD in a pricey option and I'd like to know for sure.

I've emailed Caterham with the VIN to see if they have records, but the're not exactly leaping into action ...
I've asked the owner if his garage can write a note confirming it - he's checking.

Anyone got any other ideas?
Is there some visual way to check?

cheers.

[jas xjr]

He needs to do a wheelspin . If it leaves two black lines it has an LSD . Or something

[Aizle]

Can you jack the car and turn one wheel by hand or something?

Alternatively, T junction, lock, throttle. If it snaps into a fishtail then you have an LSD, if the inside tyre just spins then it's an open diff.

[BertBert]

I'd phone caterham if I were you, not email.

With the rear wheels off the ground in neutral, what happens when you turn one rear wheel?

[Red Seven]

Can the seller tell you what sort of LSD it is?
If it's a plate type, like ZF, TranX, or Titan, then with the car jacked up, if a rear wheel is turned by hand, then the other wheel should turn in the same direction.
If its a Quaife ATB, or an AP suretrack, then its not that simple because these act lie an open diff in the above test, where the wheels will turn in opposite directions.
You'll then need to pull a drive shaft out of the diff to look inside.
Look at this page http://www.mycaterham.com/66828/117416.html

[GFWilliams]

jas xjr said:

He needs to do a wheelspin . If it leaves two black lines it has an LSD . Or something

Aizle said:

Can you jack the car and turn one wheel by hand or something?

Alternatively, T junction, lock, throttle. If it snaps into a fishtail then you have an LSD, if the inside tyre just spins then it's an open diff.

Interestingly with out Caterham, we're pretty sure it doesn't have a LSD, but when you do all of those, it acts like a LSD... And I can still powerslide it...

[Red Seven]

GFWilliams said:

jas xjr said:

He needs to do a wheelspin . If it leaves two black lines it has an LSD . Or something

Aizle said:

Can you jack the car and turn one wheel by hand or something?

Alternatively, T junction, lock, throttle. If it snaps into a fishtail then you have an LSD, if the inside tyre just spins then it's an open diff.

Interestingly with out Caterham, we're pretty sure it doesn't have a LSD, but when you do all of those, it acts like a LSD... And I can still powerslide it...

GFWilliams,
It sounds very like you have a quaife ATB.

Edited by Red Seven on Tuesday 29th May 12:33

[vertew]

Thanks for your help everyone, that's really helpful - particularly Red Seven - great link showing different types of diff. The car I'm looking at is having a service tomorrow (apparently). I'll forward this info to the seller and see if they can get the garage to do this check.

Will let you know what happens!
Cheers.