Hi Bob S

With open differentials, all wheels are driven unless one wheel can break completely free - at which all "power" is delivered to that wheel. Unless you are completely "open ended" mentally, at slow to medium speeds you can adjust your throttle manipulation to compensate... I just returned from in the field where I drove for miles through 15" of snow and deep sand - you can feel the wheelspin discretely if you are sensitive. At speed (say, on the highway), the traction situations vary many times per second and that prevents any one wheel from breaking completely free unless under full unmodulated acceleration. (Note that idiots doing "burnouts" usually leave two strips unless they are in a curve - and most of those cars don't have limited slip differentails) I have heard the statement about open-ended diffs for years. Under extreme conditions, I agree, you can persuade the car to behave as "two-wheel drive" - but under even extreme conditions, with some competence - it just isn't so. Its like saying my '02 Aero is "one-wheel" drive - not easy to establish unless deliberately driven inappropraitely. By the way, most vehicle differentials are "open-ended" to allow for the variations in "distance" travelled by each wheel when that vehicle is operating in other than a straight line. "Locking differentials" and limited slip versions are availalbe - I have used many "Detroit gear-locking types" - actually made by Dana and fiittd to the Model 44 and 60 (in my Ford F250) differentials and "air-lockers" that I fitted to my Toyota Land Cruisers. In my opinion they are only partially successful in that they do compensate for wheelspin in extreme conditions - but their failure rate is quite high. The Quaiffe unit that I had in my Audi worked OK. Jeep swears by the new locking diffs in the Wrangler Rubicon - but I'll bet the service records will show differently. Under extreme service - i lock the center differential in my transfer case and that assures a 50/50 split between front and rear - its nor always "optimum" but in deep snow/rocks/hills, etc. it provides a predictable response.

Cheers,
Eric

posted by 24.60.216...

• SUVs and snow, Bob M, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 11:00:48
  • Don't blame the SUV..., Dr. Eric Strauss, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 20:38:57
    • Re: traction, BobS, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 22:40:28
    • Re: open axels, BobS, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 22:37:58
      • Well, not so much...., Dr. Eric Strauss, Sat, 8 Feb 2003 16:40:38 <-- Viewing This Message
  • I once passed 21 cars off the road on a trip to VT..., Chris., Fri, 7 Feb 2003 16:14:58
  • Since we have an SUV..., Noel, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 16:05:48
  • Re: SUVs and snow, Rod'899kT, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 14:43:22
    • Oh yeah too deeeeeeeeeeeep, saw, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 15:39:45
  • Yes, it is always the driver, the car doesn't drive...., TKC, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 13:01:57
    • i agree more traction affords a false sense of security, tturboboy, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 15:41:58
      • Problem is that there is less traction with SUV's too!, saw, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 15:57:22
    • SUV's and traction., bRAD, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 14:24:57
      • Not sure your use of friction formula applies ..., TKC, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 22:44:27
      • Re: SUV's and traction., jp, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 16:20:20
      • to add to that, consider ..., RS , Fri, 7 Feb 2003 15:54:01
  • So true. People who would properly >, ChipJ, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 11:32:09
    • so why do SUV's get the blame when the problem, MJM , Fri, 7 Feb 2003 11:38:47
      • Damn lies and statistics... (long), Wes Miller, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:15:44
        • Good post, No.9, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:49:19
      • My theory..., KQuigley, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:03:03
      • Maybe it is the arrogance of some SUV drivers......, REM in Seattle , Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:00:14
        • Re: Maybe it is the arrogance of some SUV drivers......, No.9, Fri, 7 Feb 2003 12:09:24

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