Terrano LSD question

[Sketchy_Racer]

Hey guys, time for a silly question but has me stumped.

I have a 1991 TD27T Terrano. Now I am confused with the LSD as when I am in 2wd if I park in my drive way (on a hill) and have one rear wheel on the grass and one on the concrete and try take off up the hill I will just sit there and do a massive one wheeler, But as soon as I flick the lever into 4wd (without the front hubs engaging) I can take off with not even 1/8th of a spin from the wheel in the grass. How does that work!

I can't see any extra lines going to the diff to suggest that it is a locker except one black rubber hose in the top which I am pretty sure is the breather?

It seems bizzare! Can anyone fill me in?

Cheers,
-Sketchy

[Shane]

are the front hubs manual/auto or streight manual?

[Sketchy_Racer]

They are autos and you can hear if/when they click/bang in depending on what im doing.

[andovr]

If you have auto hubs you cannot always hear them go in so I'm thinking that when putting your Terrano in 4wd it is in fact in 4wd. Otherwise it would carry on spinning as before and also does it actually have an lsd (usually has a lsd sticker or stamp) as usually they wont let one wheel spin for a long time but some I have seen are affected by the angle the diff is on as in sideways.

[toominator]

is it definitely an lsd?

[Sketchy_Racer]

Thanks for your replies guys!

Im not sure that it is definitely a LSD, I am new to this car stuff, all i know is bikes!

I would have though it would take a few wheel revolutions before the front hubs would click in. I suppose they could be clicking in, but then I would have thought the other front wheel that was in the wet grass would start spinning too.

If I were to put the truck on ramps on on the front right and one on the left rear so one of the front and rear wheels were off the ground, in theory I wouldn't be able to move off the ramp if both diffs were open. Might have to try that and see what I get.

I know for sure that the front diff is open as I got it stuck in a massive bog the other day and bellyed out the front. Ended up having to stand on the brake and gas to get the front diff to apply some torque to the wheel that was still on the ground!

Cheers,
-Sketchy

[coxsy]

jack the rear diff in the air till both rear tyres off the ground , turn one wheel by hand, if other wheel spin the same direction lsd , if spins oppsite open

[tweake]

most likely it has a LSD but is probably well over due for an oil change.

also remember its an LSD not a locker, wheel you put to much power down or too much difference between the wheels it will spin one wheel.
that explains why it didn't spin in 4x4, power/traction is spread over 4 tires instead of 2.

[y60 safari driver]

jack the rear diff in the air till both rear tyres off the ground , turn one wheel by hand, if other wheel spin the same direction lsd , if spins oppsite open

this is the best way to check for an lsd. also if the clutch packs in the lsd are worn out then it will slip like that. i would check it on the jack first then drain the oil. if it is very black put new lsd oil in and try again.

[Sketchy_Racer]

Cheers for that guys, yep it's got a LSD in it just seems to have very aggressive clutch engagement under load, has been used for 4x4ing before me so may have been modified.

Now to fix the stupid steering idler arm!

[Mud Hog]

jack the rear diff in the air till both rear tyres off the ground , turn one wheel by hand, if other wheel spin the same direction lsd , if spins oppsite open

this is the best way to check for an lsd. also if the clutch packs in the lsd are worn out then it will slip like that. i would check it on the jack first then drain the oil. if it is very black put new lsd oil in and try again.

And only use Redline lsd oil expensive but its worth it.

[darinz]

I've been doing winch comps with lsd for many years and only ever used whatever was the cheapest lsd oil. The key is not expensive oil but regular changing of it. Sure I am pretty hard on them but I do at least an annual oil change and they work exceptional well. Went to rear locker for 2 comps then took it out and have gone back to lsd.

[pouw]

I had the idler arm brace manufactured and installed by a guy here in upper hutt for $100. Get it done, cheap and very worthwhile