Can a vlsd be welded? (I have reasons)

[19b]

If a vlsd fails, can it be welded solid? I am a dirt tracker and am afraid it wont last long.

[Onizuka]

I would just buy a open differential and weld that. Cheap and you could resell the vlsd to someone who wants to use it. You'de come out with money in pocket if you do it yourself.

But yes the gears in a vlsd can be welded just like any other diff.

[19b]

Thank you. My reasons also include that I may have found 4.36 gears in a vlsd. It's the taller gears that I'm really after. Would LOVE some 4.6's, anybody? If the vlsd holds up, great, if not, hand me the 220 glue gun! Thanks!

[:: orion ::]

Eh...the VLSD center section is closed, so it CANNOT be welded like an open diff.

You best bet is to get this VLSD...and if it hold up, great.

If not, weld a the open diff guts, and swap it onto the 4.36 ring gear. Easy.

- Brian

[19b]

See? Here lies the problem, 2 answers......who's right? I'm about to spend as much money on this diff as I have almost on this entire feature winning car!!!!! I already walled one. Might another.

[nissandrift]

If you look at the opening to the spider gears on a viscous that should answer your question. It'd be very hard to get a good weld, an open on the other hand can be welded pretty easy.

[sdtouge]

they sell 4.6 through nissan motorsports (gears) then just put those in you open diff and weld it.

[Onizuka]

Every differential has spider gears connecting the left output shaft and right output shaft, therfor, it is possible to weld shut any differential. Clutch packs, viscus couplers, helical cut gears, it doesnt matter.

I cant see a used vlsd lasting very long on a dirt track, they are not meant for continuous use. As the particles break down from being sheared they become less reactive to heat, and because of that, the locking fluid doesnt get as thick. With enough abuse, it will eventually become just like an open differential anyways.

[19b]

O.K. but how much for the 4.6 gears? Are they easy to put in? Are they as easy as say, GM gears? I can't seem to get a nismo catalog. I'm not an idiot. Directive help would be greatly appreciated. I need gears..... I'm going up against Porsche 944s.....3/8 mile dirt track. Need cheapest way to get 4.6s, please. You say I'm at the right place, lets find out. Thanks

[Onizuka]

your going to have to disassemble the diff to get at the ring gear that needs to be swapped for lower gearing.

If you want real cheap lower gearing, find someone who swapped the S15 helical LSD into their car from a full differential carrier. If your lucky they might have the ring gear and drive pinion left, which are geared lower than S13 and S14 diffs. Im not sure if you would have to use the S15 differential carrier or not with the drive pinion.

[:: orion ::]

Every differential has spider gears connecting the left output shaft and right output shaft, therfor, it is possible to weld shut any differential. Clutch packs, viscus couplers, helical cut gears, it doesnt matter...

If you can get to them...

Herein lies the problem:



See how the "guts" are enclosed...you cannot get to the gears to weld them...that is a KAAZ, but the VLSD center section looks quite similar.

- Brian

[sdtouge]

look herehttp://www.courtesyparts.com/nms/s13/s13_4.html

good l;uck! they also have soem other stuff too:)

[Onizuka]

If you can get to them...

Herein lies the problem:

See how the "guts" are enclosed...you cannot get to the gears to weld them...that is a KAAZ, but the VLSD center section looks quite similar.

- Brian

I totally understand what you guys said the first time, ease of execution was never part of what I was saying Still doesnt change that if you disassembled the differential, you could weld the pinion mate gears to the pinion mate shaft and re-assemble all the same. You dont have to do the welding with the diff entirely assembled already.

[19b]

I think I would rather spend the money on the 4.6s and weld my own diff. Are the ring and pinion sets that difficult to swap? Can it be done correctly by Joe Normal? Or do you need to be Captain Transmission? Please tell me they're easy. I'm betting not, but you never know. Thanks guys, great forum, eventually you get to the heart of the matter!