Does my car have a limited slip differential?

Essbos

Dear Ozvolvo Brains trust,

I am putting together an Amazon and think the differential I have installed may be a limited slip unit. When i turn the driveshaft with the wheels off the ground, both wheels turn in the same direction. When I turn one wheel, the other turns in the same direction.

Is there a way to be sure without taking the cover off? What fluid should I be using in this if it is limited slip?

Big thanks, Ess.

Philia_Bear

If you have the car off the ground and put it in gear so the driveshaft can't spin (engine off) and have the parking brake off

You should not be able to easily turn either wheel

Alternatively

Just pull the pumpkin cover off as it can probobly do with a clean and fresh fluid

Anthony

Your description indicates you do have an lsd diff. I see you have sprayed over metal tag, often an indicator.

Oil Castrol LSX90.

Lucky lad, hope it’s in good working order.

Anthony

PS i wrote the comprehensive Volvo Dana lsd info pages on the web

past_the_moon

that wheel direction test isn't 100% reliable. Professional diff builder told me that. good luck.

Anthony

past_the_moon
that wheel direction test isn't 100% reliable. Professional diff builder told me that. good luck.

Lets settle for 95% then. The Volvo Dana (Spicer) LSD centre is 100% mechanical and contains two sets of wet clutch packs. That’s one for each axle, that acts as a firm preloaded so to speak.

So when placed on hoist both wheels will rotate in the same direction.

However, if the LSD is worn out bad, perhaps there is not enough preload anymore, or has internal serious damage with munched parts, or externally a seized wheel bearing or a dragging brake disc, then this could add up to 5% uncertainty.

Nearly all LSDs should have a tag or sticker or something to indicate to the mechanic that special LSD oil is required (extreme pressure type with no friction modifiers).

Anthony