Let me start with a quote from the 2002 owner's manual, elaborating on a previous rant of mine. Page 221 says, with regard to spare tire usage:
"The size difference may also cause damage to the rear differential, so do nott mount the compact spare on the rear. If either rear tire goes flat, remove the front tire on that same side, mount the compact spare tire on the front, the mount the fron tire on the rear."
Anyway, I found myself wondering what would happen to the unfortunate S2000 owner who did not do a leisurely read of this part of the manual while changing a tire in the breakdown lane of some Interstate on a cold rainy night. He would have a 125/70x16 on one side, and a 225/50x16 on the other. According to my calculations, one rear wheel would want to be spinning 8.6% faster than the other. I find myself wondering what the Torsen limited slip differential would do under these conditions, and concluded it is one of the following:
a. It will accommodate the slippage internally, but this will cause the internal clutch mechanism to heat up and get damaged.
b. The 8.6% slippage will exceed the slip limits of the Torsen, and one of the rear wheels will be forced to continually 'chirp' and leave rubber all over the road.
Being unwilling to find out the truth by subjecting my spotless new baby to an actual live experiment, I thought I would poll the group. Whaddaya think guys?

 

nice point

 

My dealer went over that with me. I wouldn't have known otherwise.

 

If you drove at less than 2-3 mph for less than a mile or 2, you'd probably be alright. But any more than that I think you'd need to replace the clutch pack inside the diff and possibly other pieces that might get overheated. And you're probably right about one of the tires. You'd probably scrub that one badly if you drove for any distance at any kind of speed.

My first thought when I see a post on this forum that starts off like, "How do you ........ ; Where do you find ........... ; How come ............ ??????"

is:

"DON'T YOU PEOPLE READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL?????"
This is the first MANDATORY rule of new car ownership. What am I? Your reading partner in the crapper next to you? And you're blind? If you are, then maybe I'll read it for you but then, if you are blind, maybe you shouldn't be driving? OK, you're excused if you bought a used car with no manual.

 

There are no clutches in the Torsen differential, but my guess is that internal damage would be the result. I don't think the mechanism would be strong enough to chirp the tires for any substantial period of time.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dhayner
[B]There are no clutches in the Torsen differential, but my guess is that internal damage would be the result.

 

A thread about putting the front on the rear after rear blowout saved my bacon after a NEW Bridgestone 02 blew out.

 

Well. I actually drove with the spare tire on the rear. Did about 70 on the interstate for about 10 -15 miles. No, it did not "chirp" one of the tires but it did handle like crap. Any ill effects of doing this? I haven't seen any. Any damage to the rear diff? Haven't seen it either.
However, who knows what happened.

 

I think you were lucky. I'm glad for you. Ween I made the AAA driver make the switch (at 4:30 AM), he thought I was crazy.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chapstick
[B]Well.