996 LSD

[mikeo996]

Checking the original options sheet for my 98 996 I discovered that it does indeed have the optional lsd as well as (the more obvious cos there's a switch in the cabin) traction control. I seem to remember reading here or another forum that an old lsd will inevitably not be working anymore - is this right, and if so how much would it take to fix it? Despite my obvious lack of sidewaysness that would presumably establish for sure whether it works or not, I do like to do the odd trackday and it seems daft not to be able to take advantage of what should be quite a good option.
Any obvious ways of testing it other than jacking up the rear wheels and giving one a spin?

[fastfreddy]

What's the mileage of the car and how hard has it been driven? Unlikely it won't be working at all but it may have loosened off a bit.
To test without jacking up, find a nice quiet piece of tarmac, turn off the TC and see if you can lay down two rubbery lines by doing a burn out. Or give it full steering lock, dump the clutch and see if it does a donut easily.
Or give it to me and I'll test it for you

[mikeo996]

60K approx, and in the 22k miles I've done in it probably hasn't had too hard a life, apart from the odd trackday (where it still gets some mechanical sympathy). Who knows about before - the fact it was specified with sports suspension and lsd might imply the first owner intended to give it a hard time.

[Agent Orange]

Not the specific answer u may want but the plates on the LSD do wear , especially on track day use ..............become totally zero after a while ,not a big deal to replace , if concerned try 'Cup' spec replacemnets , last ages under all conditions

[anglebox10]

Had a new 98 reg 996 with the same spec, drove it fast but wouldn't say I gave it a hard time, just found it a more 'involving' drive than the normal spec.

[Pork_n_Beem]

In 2nd gear and above you should not experience inside wheelspin when cornering hard, also as the diff gets more worn you get a little more oversteer on turn in.

Checking static friction by jacking a wheel up is not always conclusive because you need to be quite sensitive to measure the pre-load.

You will know when driving it hard whether it needs a rebuild.

My 993 used to lift spin the inside rear wheel exiting the chicane at Donny in 3rd and on those 2nd gear hairpins at Bedford when it was due for a plate rebuild.

[cathar]

Don't know if this helps, but the LSD in my 70k miles 1989 928 S4 is still working fine, I can do donuts and drifts and lay rubber out of turns no problem.

However, with the driving I typically do in this car, I doubt it's being stressed a lot.

-marin

Edited by cathar on Thursday 22 February 12:29

[thegoose]

A re-build with a "diff pack" is about £1100 done by a good Indy. Had a 2003 GT3 18 months ago with just 10,000 miles on and that needed doing. Probably needed it whilst the previous owner had it and it was under warranty (expired 4 months earlier), but he hadn't noticed so we had to pay to sort it.

However, you may find that an OPC doesn't actually notice it's gone when doing a 111 point check, after which the warranty should cover it..................