Metal Chunk in Diff
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
http://www.torsen.com/fsae/fsaefaq.htm
This is from a FAQ regarding the University Special Torsen LSD, not an OEM LSD. I came across this page when looking for Torsen's contact info, since I want to know if they stock spare OEM LSD parts. It looks like they make certain washers out of bronze.
Torsen says you can interchange the bronze washers with steel on the U. Special, so maybe the solution to the broken ears is to replace the two yellow washers on our diffs with two steel ones.
Since performance (torque bias ratio or TBR) is a direct function of the unit’s internal resistance to differentiate, changing the resistance will change the TBR. Most of this resistance comes from the gear design itself, and cannot be altered. However, there are other frictional factors that can. One of these factors is the friction coefficient of the washers, which the side gears thrust against when torque is applied. We use a variety of different washer types to adjust the TBR. Higher friction washers include plain steel, steel with nickel plating or FNC heat treating, and hardened bronze. To reduce friction, we also use needle bearings as well as washers with a Teflon-based coating.
Torsen says you can interchange the bronze washers with steel on the U. Special, so maybe the solution to the broken ears is to replace the two yellow washers on our diffs with two steel ones.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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I found 3 of these ears out of my diff at once about 4k miles ago. I emailed Puddy and he was helpful in sending me the pic and explanation he reposted in this thread 
So far so good, but sadly for the cost of shipping and repair, I think I’d be further ahead just replacing the whole unit with a low mile used one when this one decides to completely fail.
So far so good, but sadly for the cost of shipping and repair, I think I’d be further ahead just replacing the whole unit with a low mile used one when this one decides to completely fail.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 479
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I gotta be honest, I am really dreading changing my diff oil this weekend after reading this. All I need is something else to worrk about lol. I for one won't be replacing the diff if I fund chunks. UNTIL there is a fix for the problem all together if I can help it. It would suck to be changing diffs every 2-5 years 
Seeing as how these diffs are common to Mazdas and such I wonder if this have ever been a problem for those communities?
Seeing as how these diffs are common to Mazdas and such I wonder if this have ever been a problem for those communities?
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,953
Likes: 25
From: 17 ft below sea level.
This is from a FAQ regarding the University Special Torsen LSD, not an OEM LSD. I came across this page when looking for Torsen's contact info, since I want to know if they stock spare OEM LSD parts. It looks like they make certain washers out of bronze.
Torsen says you can interchange the bronze washers with steel on the U. Special, so maybe the solution to the broken ears is to replace the two yellow washers on our diffs with two steel ones.
Torsen says you can interchange the bronze washers with steel on the U. Special, so maybe the solution to the broken ears is to replace the two yellow washers on our diffs with two steel ones.
But, we have the T-2 Torsen.
Nothing like the LSD in this info.
I would be surpriced any parts are interchangable.
As far as I understand S2KPUDDYDAD, it is allready a steel washer with a coating - on one side.
Btw.. we were both not right and not wrong
What I would like to know is, does S2KPUDDYDAD (or his costumers) ever find ears in diffs he has worked on, running with the oil he recommends?
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,463
Likes: 25
I gotta be honest, I am really dreading changing my diff oil this weekend after reading this. All I need is something else to worrk about lol. I for one won't be replacing the diff if I fund chunks. UNTIL there is a fix for the problem all together if I can help it. It would suck to be changing diffs every 2-5 years Seeing as how these diffs are common to Mazdas and such I wonder if this have ever been a problem for those communities?
Seeing as how these diffs are common to Mazdas and such I wonder if this have ever been a problem for those communities?Nothing to dread, the ears come off but not often and the LSD still works even if you find one. This LSD is not common at all in the Miata it was only used in the 2004 and 2005 MX5 Mazda Speed turbo Miata.
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 8,463
Likes: 25
Originally Posted by Working_Class_S' timestamp='1334175412' post='21598508
This is from a FAQ regarding the University Special Torsen LSD, not an OEM LSD. I came across this page when looking for Torsen's contact info, since I want to know if they stock spare OEM LSD parts. It looks like they make certain washers out of bronze.
Torsen says you can interchange the bronze washers with steel on the U. Special, so maybe the solution to the broken ears is to replace the two yellow washers on our diffs with two steel ones.
Torsen says you can interchange the bronze washers with steel on the U. Special, so maybe the solution to the broken ears is to replace the two yellow washers on our diffs with two steel ones.
But, we have the T-2 Torsen.
Nothing like the LSD in this info.
I would be surpriced any parts are interchangable.
As far as I understand S2KPUDDYDAD, it is allready a steel washer with a coating - on one side.
Btw.. we were both not right and not wrong
What I would like to know is, does S2KPUDDYDAD (or his costumers) ever find ears in diffs he has worked on, running with the oil he recommends?
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Working_Class_S' timestamp='1334175412' post='21598508
This is from a FAQ regarding the University Special Torsen LSD, not an OEM LSD. I came across this page when looking for Torsen's contact info, since I want to know if they stock spare OEM LSD parts. It looks like they make certain washers out of bronze.
Torsen says you can interchange the bronze washers with steel on the U. Special, so maybe the solution to the broken ears is to replace the two yellow washers on our diffs with two steel ones.
Torsen says you can interchange the bronze washers with steel on the U. Special, so maybe the solution to the broken ears is to replace the two yellow washers on our diffs with two steel ones.
But, we have the T-2 Torsen.
Nothing like the LSD in this info.
I would be surpriced any parts are interchangable.
As far as I understand S2KPUDDYDAD, it is allready a steel washer with a coating - on one side.
Btw.. we were both not right and not wrong
What I would like to know is, does S2KPUDDYDAD (or his costumers) ever find ears in diffs he has worked on, running with the oil he recommends?
Hopefully the BR-Z guys will share our Torsen woes.
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,953
Likes: 25
From: 17 ft below sea level.
I'm not saying parts are interchangeable between the U Special and the T-2, rather that if bronze and steel are interchangeable on the U, we may be able to run steel/steel as well, albeit with less locking. But then we can comfortably use 75/90 and get the lockup back. AFAIK, the only difference, desing-wise, is that our washers grip eachother with a waffle texture.
Do you really need your diff oil to be available in every shop?
As in:
Your grocery list - milk, bread, tooth paste, vegetables (no carrots!), diff oil, butter, soup, steak, candy and maybe pizza if it is on sale.
Its ok to buy 3-4 quarts of 75W-110 or 75W-140.
Gear oils don't oxidize as much - or at all actually - like engine oils.
Shake before use and ready to go.