Understanding limited slip diff tug

[berg]

Having read many learned peoples comments on the above I think I understand the principles BUT can someone accurately explain the below -

I exited a roundabout onto an industrial estate with a right hand bend, it is a good bend to try and get the power down and since I have had the LSD fitted having been trying to power out of corners a little earlier (within reason).

As i put my foot down to power round the corner you could feel the diff working, and then it seemed to send me in the opposite direction to the one I was steering in ie towards the kerb, i lifted off the power and corrected the trajectory with the steering.

Was not too bad as had enough time to correct it, but have I made a classic mistake of too much power too early? could it be linked to aggressive arb settings on stock suspension?  Any thoughts appreciated

[tony_danza]

Classic diff tug. One wheel got traction and in the transition of it sending power to the other, it tried to pull itself in another direction.

It isn't technically an understeer/oversteer issue, you're just going to have to get used to loading it up properly before mashing the throttle.

[berg]

Classic diff tug. One wheel got traction and in the transition of it sending power to the other, it tried to pull itself in another direction.

It isn't technically an understeer/oversteer issue, you're just going to have to get used to loading it up properly before mashing the throttle.

Thanks Tony - someone on here did say you have to change your driving with the diff fitted. So the power has to be "balanced" between the two wheels before giving the pedal a fair bit of throttle? Is it simply trial and error and becoming a more experienced, confident driver with the diff fitted. Dont fancy it happening too much in the wet! 

[tony_danza]

You'll get used to it, just takes some time and patience - people seem to think a diff cures everything with no side effects.

Smooth application is the key, let it load up and go 

[berg]

oh no, i have felt some of the side effects!

The biggest advantage i have found is traction in 1st gear, especailly if making an almost 90 degree turn out of a side road or a supermarket, you can get away far quicker 

[DJM]

When i had my RS that used to pull you all over the place. Watch out for the white lines in the road as will pull you. Got to love it though, makes driving fun.

[gizmo68]

As i put my foot down to power round the corner you could feel the diff working, and then it seemed to send me in the opposite direction to the one I was steering in ie towards the kerb, i lifted off the power and corrected the trajectory with the steering.

Lifting off the power mid corner will actually put the car into oversteer, on a FWD car with an LSD the trick is to keep the power on.

[the bruce]

Smooth application is the key, let it load up and go 

Right, smooth and progressive - not aggressive. 

[Cupra R]

Berg, thanks for pointing me in the direction of this thread.  I hadn't seen it before.

Kind of leaves me thinking should I/shouldn't I fit it still. Unsure as never driven a car with an LSD fitted before and its a big expense to fit to then think oh dear.  Ideally I'd fit it to a spare box but haven't been able to find one and even then, would the spare box be in good condition 

Ah, the dilema of it all. 

[Russ_leeds]

has anyone tried the Quaife ATB Helical LSD differential?
says its less 'snappy' than a conventional lsd

[the bruce]

Both Quaife and Peloquin just follow the ''Torsen'' principle.
They work mechanical only.
Audi's larger Quattro models use the same type as central diff.

Th e Wavetrac ''adds'' a conventional plate type to this Torsen
based diff to provide traction even under race conditions.

[berg]

Berg, thanks for pointing me in the direction of this thread.  I hadn't seen it before.

Kind of leaves me thinking should I/shouldn't I fit it still. Unsure as never driven a car with an LSD fitted before and its a big expense to fit to then think oh dear.  Ideally I'd fit it to a spare box but haven't been able to find one and even then, would the spare box be in good condition 

Ah, the dilema of it all. 

the diff is worth doing if you are planning on a.) going big power b.) keeping the car for say 5 years. if you are hoping to trade up to something else after you have finished modding it probably is not worth the investment. from my experience of having the wavetrac fitted so far i would say the benefits far outweigh any negatives 

[Russ_leeds]

on the quaiffe website they show 2 types for the golf gti mk5 m8 a standard and a helical diff

[QD MBE]

Berg, thanks for pointing me in the direction of this thread.  I hadn't seen it before.

Kind of leaves me thinking should I/shouldn't I fit it still. Unsure as never driven a car with an LSD fitted before and its a big expense to fit to then think oh dear.  Ideally I'd fit it to a spare box but haven't been able to find one and even then, would the spare box be in good condition 

Ah, the dilema of it all. 

the diff is worth doing if you are planning on a.) going big power b.) keeping the car for say 5 years. if you are hoping to trade up to something else after you have finished modding it probably is not worth the investment. from my experience of having the wavetrac fitted so far i would say the benefits far outweigh any negatives 

A couple of years ago, i had the Quaife fitted by VWR, not without issue, but that is another story.

The Original Diff failed whilst fitted, Quaife replaced it under warranty.

The Diff improved traction no end, I had an ed30, std BHP, but it allowed me to access the BHP all the time.  Get used to the slight tug, if you aren't progressive with the loud pedal.

Great mod, and allied with decent anchors, you don't need a map IMO.

[Bernhard30]

Can I just ask what sort of traction benefits do you get in a straight line with a diff fitted.
From posts on here I kind of understand the principles of what it does in bends but wondered how it digs in off the line etc, or perhaps when already rolling and you give it too many beans and the front tyres are overwhelmed with grunt.
It'd be good to know about wet traction too, what goes on?

Cheers.