Ok this is my question I have a 98 4.6L 4X2 with 3.55 Limited Slip only lately it seems as if it is not a limited slip. It will spin only one wheel and it's my understanding that a limited slip should not do this. Has anyone else noticed this with the limited slip or is this an isolated concern? Would this mean that I've worn all of the material away that makes it work and now need to rebuild it? Any assistance would be apreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

From what I understand, your right it shouldn't do that. Both wheels should spin together. But I maybe wrong.

 

A limited slip doesn't prevent one wheel from not spinning. It is suppose to help apply torque equally to both rear wheels when traction to both rear wheels is low. Try jacking up one side of your truck, put it in nuetral, and try to turn the wheel that is off the ground by hand. If its real easy to turn your clutches are worn out or not shimmed correctly. If it takes quite abit of effort to turn there's probally nothing wrong with your differential.

 

I'm going to be checking out the brakes this weekend so I'll give it a try when I jack it up. Thanks for the input, if the clutches are worn out how bad of a repair would it be or should I just forget about it deal with it in the snow? I do live in Michigan and only have a 4X2.

 

There was someone on here about 6 months or so ago that had the same problem they had to rebuild the rear end as something broke I forgot what it was.

 

thanks i'll try searching the messages again and see if i can find it.

 

The factory L/S is not very strong and will wear out quickly. Here is a web site that will give you some more information and allow you to make a good decision.
http://www.ring-pinion.com/standard-carriers.shtml

 

speedy -

The basic principal of the LS (or at least positraction) operates on dual pinion shafts that "throw" the side gears out against the clutches. The pre-load spring is just that, "pre-load", to provide some limited slip action before the vehicle is up and moving. If you didn't have this, you would have an open diff every time you started from a dead stop in snow or sand.

As the clutches wear there is not so much of a noticeable difference in the LS operation while under "load" because the side gears can still throw themselves hard up against the clutches, or rather when you are trucking at full speed the side gears ARE thrown out against the clutches and locked tighter than a drum. However, you will start to notice that the pre-load spring side of the equation goes downhill fast...As the clutches wear, all you have is this little springy-springy pushing against both of them. You'll start to notice way too much differentiation on startup....

When people say the factory LS wears out too quickly, this is what they mean. Limited slip from a dead stop is what you need, and that's the first thing that goes.

 

WLF

Did you have LS when you got your Powertrax. I was contemplating getting the PT when my clutch pack finally wore out. Is the replacement for the LS very difficult to put in? I know the PT for the open diff is a no-brainer....

 

cpadpl,
I had the limited slip 355 rear. I had both the Powertrax unit and the 430 gears put in at the same time so I paid someone to do it. The guy told me it was a piece of cake. He said it was one of the easiest rears he has installed. You have to get the one for the LS carrier. I have to tell you though; the rear is a little annoying at times. Unless you do a lot of off-road driving, you may want one of the better clutch type rears.