I know that the LSD has two modes - one 'on power' and one 'off power'. Though, what does it exaclty do when in these two modes .... can anyone fill me in?

Reason I ask is that I was just reading about the Audi RS4 and how the 'electronics' 'interfere' with the 'drive'. What the RS4 does is when you are on power - is it locks the rear diff and therefore sends the car into understeer. Also, when you touch the brakes in the RS4 then the power is instanlty cut-off as the car thinks that you're trying to slow down (so no left foot braking there).

 

The Torsen T2 is entirely mechanical. Unlike a normal diff which has a couple of planetary gears linking the two drive shafts the Torsen T2 uses two interlocked screws, one driven off the left shaft, the other driven off the right.

The limited slip, or torque sharing, works simply because of the resistance of the screws to be turned (due to the down gearing and screw angle). It never locks, it's just that if one wheel is turning, torque is also being transferred to the other.

Torsen Differential

 

AUS, your link points to an explanation of a Torsen T1, our cars use a T2.

Look here for explanation:
http://www.torsen.com/products/T-2.htm

 

More good info on How Stuff Works.com

 

Thanks for the links guys, though it still does not exaclty explain/confirm what I wanted to know .... all it really sais is that torque is transfered to the wheel with more tractrion. I'm wondering still if it does something in particular in 'on throttle' and 'off throttle' situations? Though, from reading these links it seems to be really straighforward concept of torque transfer ... that is regardless of whether you are on power of off power ... is that correct?

Though, the articles make me ask another question - What exaclty is the "torque bias ratio" in the S2000's LSD ... anyone knows?

Another reason that made me think about this is that the S2000 seems to go though a moment of 'nervousness' when going though a corner under power and lifting off (I'm talking about a long constant radius 50 - 60mph sweeper). What I'm feeling could be just me trasfering weight away from the rear wheels but it is still a more pronounced feeling than in other cars. It's very noticable in corners that you enter in 2nd gear, power though, but run out of the gear before you're out of the corner and hence need to change to 3rd. For instance something like the MR2 did not even flinch when up-changing in a situation like that while the S2000 feels 'uncumfortable' doing so as the car fells usettled when you press the clutch in.

Saying that 'you should not change gears mid-corner' is not really the issue because sometimes situations like that arrise (in particular on the track .... any locals think to Phillip Island turn 5 (Siberia) or turn 11 (2nd last corner)).

 

Sure, but the only difference is the way the sets of screws (or planet gears) intermesh. T1 uses straight cogs, whereas T2 uses angled teeth which are really just an extension of the screws. I expect the only functional difference would be that a T2 would be quieter.

 

What about the Kaaz LSD? How does it work and is it much better??

Phi

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Phi2k
[B]What about the Kaaz LSD?