Date: Sun, 14 Jun 1998 23:42:15 -0300
Reply-To: Tim Smith <smitht@UNB.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Tim Smith <smitht@UNB.CA>
Subject: 2WD diff lock add on
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi John/All,
yes there is a locking differential, made by LockRite in USA. About $230US,
plus the work! Replace the carrier in the middle of your diff. For any bus
back to '69?, and for all vanagons/caravelles.
some comments. One list member had one professionally installed by a trans
rebuilding shop. Did not work well first time, lots of 'clunking' and
grabbing of the rear wheels, and a tendency to feel a bit unsafe on the
highway in dry weather/straight ahead. It was sent back,
replaced/rebuilt??? and apparently works fine now. that is the only
vanagon data point I have.
Comments on LockRites..... they are a cam/wedge type locker that work by
allowing over-running of the outside wheel during a turn, but are
essentially 'locked up' during straight running. They do work in both
forward and reverse.
They are called 'autolockers' since no driver input is needed. Off road
they work fine, if a wheel spins the diff will catch against cams on slower
side and lock. When starting a corner the locker is locked!! They wedge
down tightly and require a good bit of force to unlock, and they 'bang'
loudly when unlocking, better than older versions I am told.
If the surface is treacherous, like winter ice or hardpacked snow, there may
not be enough traction to cause the unlocking, so the one of the wheels will
break loose and slide, could be inner or outer, depending on traction
available, camber of road, load/speed of van etc. In other words they can
be a bit unpredictable!! This can steer you straight off the road also.
You also cannot disengage it when trying to crawl along a slippery off
camber surface, with the result that the entire rear axle slides out to the
edge. With an open diff the uphill tire is unweighted and will spin first,
warning you while the downhill tire still has a grip.
I _think_ there is some kind of limited slip differential available from VW,
one of the German listmembers (Helmut Zeidler?) mentioned it. Not a locker
but an improvement. This is what Golf/Rabbit GTi have, not a strong grip,
but enough to help a bit. There are also aftermarket kits for Golfs to
improve the preload in these units, and give more 'locking' One list member
has installed a Syncro full locking diff into a 2WD vanagon, major welding
up of case, followed by machining out. Plus some good preliminary design
work I'd bet.
If it is simply snow conditions you are considering, chains are incredible,
despite their inconvenience. And they are cheap! Chains are miles better
than lockers. I have been practicing lately with my diff unlocked as much
as possible, to improve my driving skills. Steady speed, anticipation of
sticky areas or hills/lost traction is needed, momentum will get you over a
lot. It is notable that LandRover Defenders do not even offer factory
lockers! They count on good traction/wheel travel to keep going. If you are
going off road, dropping your tire pressures until the sidewalls have a fat
bulge works wonders, but watch for rocks.
bye, Tim
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