Discussion
Hi
My LHD caterham as developped a weird behaviour.
When turning Left the LSD is working fine. ( i can feel it and see the marks on the road)
When turning right it is working as an open diff. ( It just uncontrollably spins the inside wheel )
How is that possible ?
Obviously it is nakered and needs a rebuilt
Can you tell by the symptoms what type of LSD this might be?
Is this something i can fix myself or do i need to sent to the UK for a rebuilt?
The car is and 1999 Rover 1.6 french race car fully equipped to the superlight specs.
Thanks
My LHD caterham as developped a weird behaviour.
When turning Left the LSD is working fine. ( i can feel it and see the marks on the road)
When turning right it is working as an open diff. ( It just uncontrollably spins the inside wheel )
How is that possible ?
Obviously it is nakered and needs a rebuilt
Can you tell by the symptoms what type of LSD this might be?
Is this something i can fix myself or do i need to sent to the UK for a rebuilt?
The car is and 1999 Rover 1.6 french race car fully equipped to the superlight specs.
Thanks
It is a plate diff. The wheel attached to the crown wheel is driving the car, but the clutch packs that drive the other wheel ( instead of the planet gear set in an open diff) aren't transferring any torque. You have a one wheel drive car. When the driving wheel has the weight on it, you get drive, when it is unloaded, it just spins up.
All diffs retain an open type mechanism - the LSD is purely friction within that action. Otherwise the engine speed would be varying between left and right corners and the handling affected.
It is possible that you have broken differential mechanism and it is the LSD friction that is retaining the drive, but I think that would be very obvious and it's more likely that this is an ATB diff. These can open up and spin a wheel if load (torque) becomes light. I'd check corner weights, and the 'spinning wheel' shock is not faulty.
It is possible that you have broken differential mechanism and it is the LSD friction that is retaining the drive, but I think that would be very obvious and it's more likely that this is an ATB diff. These can open up and spin a wheel if load (torque) becomes light. I'd check corner weights, and the 'spinning wheel' shock is not faulty.
DCL said:
All diffs retain an open type mechanism - the LSD is purely friction within that action. Otherwise the engine speed would be varying between left and right corners and the handling affected.
It is possible that you have broken differential mechanism and it is the LSD friction that is retaining the drive, but I think that would be very obvious and it's more likely that this is an ATB diff. These can open up and spin a wheel if load (torque) becomes light. I'd check corner weights, and the 'spinning wheel' shock is not faulty.
Hi It is possible that you have broken differential mechanism and it is the LSD friction that is retaining the drive, but I think that would be very obvious and it's more likely that this is an ATB diff. These can open up and spin a wheel if load (torque) becomes light. I'd check corner weights, and the 'spinning wheel' shock is not faulty.
Thanks for your reply,
Once the car is jacked up both wheels spin in the same direction.
In any right hand side turn i can spin the inside wheel and have zero traction, it is really disturbing
In the opposite, left hand side turns i certainly feel a lot more traction from the drive train, there is no mistake about this.
With me in the car and a full tank weights are:
front left : 131kg
front right: 133kg
Rear left : 178kg
Rear right: 149kg
Rear shocks are both fine with good damping.
However since i got the car i could hear a "clank" noise from the diff each time the transmission was transiting from no load to load.
Who sold me the car was telling me this is normal and is just the locking diff. (????)
No i know something is wrong with the diff.
Does that give any further tips?
Am i risking to find myself stranded in the mountains with an dead transmission system?
I have driven the car quite hard since i both it about 2000miles ago would the system still be in one piece if some internal parts were broken?
Thanks
The Sierra diff is strong and they don't have a reputation of failing. Judging by the age of your car, it is may have started life with an open , or perhaps ZF type plate diff (but others may want to comment/confirm this). If it is a 18 year old plate diff, then it will be long overdue an overhaul and it may simply just need that serviced. It is probably worth identifying the type fitted and this site is usefull http://www.mycaterham.com/66828/117416.html but you would need to remove a driveshaft. Road and Race in the UK, but any competent mechanic should be able to replace worn parts.
Edited by DCL on Friday 31st March 10:24
DCL said:
The Sierra diff is strong and they don't have a reputation of failing. Judging by the age of your car, it is may have started life with an open , or perhaps ZF type plate diff (but others may want to comment/confirm this). If it is a 18 year old plate diff, then it will be long overdue an overhaul and it may simply just need that serviced. It is probably worth identifying the type fitted and this site is usefull http://www.mycaterham.com/66828/117416.html but you would need to remove a driveshaft. Road and Race in the UK, but any competent mechanic should be able to replace worn parts.
Thank you for your reply,Edited by DCL on Friday 31st March 10:24
When cash will allow i will look into planning its overhaul with Road and Race
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