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Is this differential a posi?

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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 08:07 PM
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Default Is this differential a posi?

I just picked up a rear end that I want to switch out my current one with, but after I got home I realized its missing the springs that I always thought made it a limited slip.

It has an OH stamping on the cover which is a 78 or 79 and being after a 70 should automatically make it a posi, but I dont know the history of it. Could have been rebuilt or who knows what.

Thanks for any help!


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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 08:17 PM
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Sorry
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 08:23 PM
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Some guys leave the springs and plates out.
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
Some guys leave the springs and plates out.
So this is a posi unit, but just without the springs and plates?

I was reading some other threads and one said if you turn the pinion and both side axles turn the same direction then its a posi, but then another thread said the opposite. One should turn the other direction.
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 08:59 PM
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If one wheel turns opposite direction its not a posi.
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 09:19 PM
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It could still be a posi if the clutches are setup to spec (ie. tight) and not relying on springs/plates to provide preload.....

BUT if you spin the pinion or one of the side yokes, the other side yoke may spin the opposite direction because there is no springs/plates to preload the clutches....BUT once you put real torque into the pinion from the engine, the clutches will lock...

Problem is, you don't know if the clutches have been setup like that or not....Most rebuilders do not take the time to do this..... Tracdogg2 and GTR1999 both setup or "tune" the clutches like this and do not use springs/plates for preload...This is something that has to be measured out and shimmed.

Tracdogg just built my super 10 bolt and it doesn't use springs/plates....If I turn one side yoke, the other goes backwards....but I guarantee you my posi is working......I just made 5 passes at the strip....
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 09:27 PM
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I don't know if I have ever seen an open C2-C3 rear end BUT I don't see the clutch plate guides in his rear end. They usually hang out a little from the case.
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 09:39 PM
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The case is relieved for the clutch tabs & keeper on a posi diff. You can see the half-circle relief and the clip for the clutch tabs clearly in the second picture




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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 10:19 PM
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ok, just check the rotations. Pinion turns both axles the same direction. If I turn one axle the other turns the same direction. I can hold one axle still and turn the pinion and the other axle rotates.

I guess this is a definite indication that its a posi thats been 'tuned'. Did the 78 and 79s all have springs and plates?
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Old Nov 16, 2010 | 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by sidneyhop
ok, just check the rotations. Pinion turns both axles the same direction. If I turn one axle the other turns the same direction. I can hold one axle still and turn the pinion and the other axle rotates.

I guess this is a definite indication that its a posi thats been 'tuned'. Did the 78 and 79s all have springs and plates?
Damit! I just read another thread where if you're able to hold one axle steady and turn the pinion and the other rotates its an 'open' differential and NOT a posi. So which ever one has the least amount of resistance moves.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by ajrothm
BUT if you spin the pinion or one of the side yokes, the other side yoke may spin the opposite direction because there is no springs/plates to preload the clutches....BUT once you put real torque into the pinion from the engine, the clutches will lock...
Interesting and makes sense. So.... just a guess but it sounds as if on dry ground the diff without preload springs will do fine but if the same diff is on an icy surface it might act as an open rear end.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by sidneyhop
Damit! I just read another thread where if you're able to hold one axle steady and turn the pinion and the other rotates its an 'open' differential and NOT a posi. So which ever one has the least amount of resistance moves.
You can solve this by looking in to see if the side gears have clutches behind them. You should also be able to see if the clutch guides are there.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
You can solve this by looking in to see if the side gears have clutches behind them. You should also be able to see if the clutch guides are there.
I dont know a lot about differentials. Would the clutches be inside the carrier shown with the arrow? Where would the clutch guides be?

Thanks

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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 10:25 AM
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Yes inside where you have the red arrow and on the other side under the side gear.
One of the guides will be just under the point of the red arrow,its a half of of tube looking thing that holds the ears of the clutch plates.
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
Yes inside where you have the red arrow and on the other side under the side gear.
One of the guides will be just under the point of the red arrow,its a half of of tube looking thing that holds the ears of the clutch plates.
Are these the clutches? A standard 'open' differential wont have these?



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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 12:45 PM
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Yep thats the guides and the posi clutches. Is that yours ?
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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
Yep thats the guides and the posi clutches. Is that yours ?
Yep, thats mine. Seems as if someone has taken the springs out from what Ive been reading. Question is has it been 'tuned' correctly or even at all? I tried to take a better pic of the carrier to ask if its been polished. This would be a sign that its been tuned and possibly correctly??

There isnt a lot of slop in the spider gears, no rattle back and forth if I turn the axles. One interesting note is when I turn the pinion and hold the drivers side everything else rotates freely. When I hold the passenger side however it binds up and is difficult to turn. Could this mean the clutches or bearings need attention?

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Old Nov 17, 2010 | 04:01 PM
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I sent Gary a PM ,hopefully he will chime in and answer your latest questions.
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Old Nov 18, 2010 | 05:44 PM
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No word yet from Gary.

I did notice that the clutches that were used were the snowflake variety so replacing them with solid clutches should give me a definite reason to start breaking it down. Whats the best brand and place to get them, and also the shim kit to?

Alex
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Old Nov 18, 2010 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by ...Roger...
I sent Gary a PM ,hopefully he will chime in and answer your latest questions.
Gary is no longer on CF. Try DC or CAC.
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