| Other
terms for the axle housing:
Diff, Pig, Pumpkin,
Differential
- This term refers to the drive part of an axle. the
various styles include:
open differential - (see image
above) allows both tires on the same drive axle to rotate
independently of each other, transferring power to the
tire with the least amount of traction.
Limited slip - (see image below) similar
to open differential, with the exception of clutch packs
inside the differential slow down the tire with the
least traction to force more power to the tire with
more traction.
Posi, positraction - another name for
a limited slip.
|
Limited slip - Also
known as posi. The limited slip is not a locker nor
is it an open carrier. It has clutch packs located inside
the carrier that force both tires to spin. The clutch
packs usually work great when they are new but as time
goes on and they wear your traction aid decreases.
Pros - Extra traction, completely
transparent under normal driving conditions, came stock
in alot of different vehicles.
Cons - when clutches wear out they
are not as effective, Cost, Cost of install.
Also known as Posi, positraction, auburn, and many
other brand names. |
Limited slip
|
Automatic Locker - The Automatic
Locker (also known as lunchbox locker) Replaces the
spider and side gears (see parts C and D above) the
same as the mini spool, unlike the mini spool the
automatic locker does unlock.
Pros - Superior traction, Still
allows 1 tire to spin faster than the other minimizing
tire wear, cheap, easy to install. (locker
install article).
Cons - Awkward road manners.
|
Automatic
locker |
Detroit Locker - Full locker, almost
the same as a full spool. The detroit allows for ratcheting
acting letting one tire spin faster than the other for
minimized tire wear.
Pros - Extreme traction, Ratcheting
action to allow one tire to spin faster than the other,
strongest ratcheting locker available.
Cons - Replaces carrier therefore
expensive gear setup charges are involved. |
Detroit Locker |
Selectable locker - The best of
all worlds. When it is in the unlocked position it
is an open carrier allowing both tires to spin however
they want to. when it is in the locked position it
is the same as a full spool making both tires spin
as one.
Pros - Selectable, can be on or
off, user switchable, open carrier when in off position
minimizing tire wear, spooled in locked position giving
ultimate traction. Can be electric powered, air powered,
or cable actuated.
Cons - Cost!!!!!, cost of install.
|
Selectable locker |
Lincoln Locker - Lincoln locker
is a term for welded differential. Welding the spider
gears and side gears together is a cheap way to create
a mini spool. generally when welding the gears you should
also weld to the carrier to prevent any type of movement
at all.
Pros - Super cheap, no expensive gear
setups.
Cons - Need a really good welder,
ruins the carrier and possibly the bearings, excessive
tire wear, if not done properly the gears will slowly
begin to move and eat away at the weld leaving you with
an open carrier. |
Lincoln locker
|
| Mini Spool - The mini
spool is designed to replace the spider and side gears
inside the carrier (see part C and D above). With the
mini spool it is effectively the same as a full spool
however it is cheaper and easier to install. The mini
spool does effectively make both axles spin the same
speed at all times.
Pros - Easy install,
Good road manners, Cheaper than full spool.
Cons - excessive tire
wear, Does not unlock. |
Mini Spool |
| Full spool - The Full
Spool is a direct replacement for the carrier inside
a differential (see part B above) This piece is designed
to connect the two axle shafts together effectively
making them one piece. The tires will spin at the same
speed all the time unless something is broken.
Pros - Unlimited traction,
both tires always spinning at the same speed, no awkward
road manners.
Cons - Excessive tire
wear, does not unlock, expensive differential setup. |
Full spool |
