02 trans am rear end questions

S

steelhorse92

Forum Member
Ok today I was bolting on my wheels on my 02 ls1 trans am and I noticed that whel I spin on of my wheels the other spins in the opposite direction. I took it to a local shop to see if everything was ok and the 3 mechanics told me that my diff was an open diff and that there is noway my car ciuld spin both tires. Well my car lays patch with no problems. Is my car's diff going? I just layed some marks to prove them wrong but I'm just alittle worried now. I am relocating to florida for work in about a month and I have to drive my car. Everything seems to be normal when driving. I also don't have the spare cash for a 12 bolt guys.

Thanks
 
My old 95 did the same thing. I think it's just the style of diff it is, the Auburn posi or Torsion or whatever it is. Correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Have someone hold the other tire or jack up half the car, if the other wheel is hard to turn it's a posi.
 
Didn't a bunch of F bodies come with a Torsen? A torsen doesn't work like a clutch type. Clutch type you spin one the other spins the same way, don't think a Torsen works like that.
 
Posi, in neutral, should both spin the same direction. Hold one side and have someone try to spin the other side at the same time. A posi will not spin freely with the other held. If one spins the opposite direction, its probably a limited slip
 
You have a tiredness, its a helical gear limited slip, when one slips torque is sent to the other, but acts like an open when both have no traction
 
t-typex1 said:
Posi, in neutral, should both spin the same direction. Hold one side and have someone try to spin the other side at the same time. A posi will not spin freely with the other held. If one spins the opposite direction, its probably a limited slip
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Same thing, different names isn't it?
 
No clue what's going on with it but I had the car in the air next to a chevelle with an eaton posi in it. His car when spun both turned the same way. Mine you could hold one tire and spin the other. I know my car has a torsen diff. I'm not sure if I should be worried or not. They told me it would be 700 to install a new diff because rebuilding is just about them same?
 
robvas said:
Same thing, different names isn't it?
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. It wont be hard to turn, it wont turn. With this, you will always have two rear tires putting power to the ground. If its hard to turn, it may be limited slip and this will transfer power from one wheel to the other when theres slip, but doesnt always put power to both tires
 
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The Torsen differential is a torque sencing unit that, when under a no load situation, will act as an open differential but once power is applied it will split the torque evenly to both axleshafts. As the unit ages and the owner adds sticky tires or more power, the unit will search for traction and the owner will feel the car rearend feel loose. Even futher down the road as mileage compounds, the unit will start to clunk on turns, kind of like a CV going bad. The gears inside will chip and catch each other causing that situation.

An Auburn unit will wear out in time and they are serviceable but IMO it's best to purchase a new unit. Once it is worn out it will act like an open differential all the time!
 
Thanks Scott. Mine isn't making any noise and both tires are grabbing great. I have no intentions of sticky tires ever going on the car think ill be ok on the trip to Florida?
 
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