HELP!Is this a Viscous or a Clutch type LSD?

[float_6969]

OK, here's the deal. I just bought this diff off of eBay. It's for a CA18DET with the 4.364:1 gearing. I assumed it was Viscous type. When I installed it in the car it was making a noise when I was turning. Not thinking about the possibility that it wasn't a Viscous, I assumed it was damaged. I just got done pulling it back out. Just because I was curious as to what the problem was I removed the rear cover. What I saw was this...

[naed240sx]

I appears to be a clutch type, but I am not 100% sure. What noise is it making when you turn?

[float_6969]

It's like clunk or a pop. It's hard to describe. Not a chatter I don't think.

[naed240sx]

Does it clunk several times while making turns? If so it is definately a clutch type. How is the locking on it? Viscous diffs do not lock up imeadiately wheras clutch diffs are pretty much instananeos.

[Ozzie]

http://northwestnissans.com/re...ct=63

might be one of these?

[naed240sx]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

Yeah I think you really lucked out on that buy float. Make sure you change the fluid religiously on that diff and be sure to use the right kind. If it is a clutch diff, which I am fairly certain it is.

[float_6969]

The describes it to a T.

[float_6969]

naed240sx, that link you posted looks just like it.

I can't believe I only paid $275 + shipping for this thing....

[Ozzie]

from nissanoffroad.net.....

A little over a year ago, I was getting a mysterious clunk out of the LSD in the rear diff when taking off from a dead stop. Before making the leap of replacing the LSD under warrenty, I had the Nissan dealer replace the OEM diff fluid (both front and rear) with Amsoil synthetic gear lubricant. The clunk immediately became less severe and after a couple thousand miles, disappeared completely. LSD function seems just fine as well.

Dunno if this experience translates very well to your situation but there it is for sure! hehehe...

Hootowl......

so maybe try the Amisol synthetic? might help lessen/remove the clunk noise?

[naed240sx]

from nissanoffroad.net.....

A little over a year ago, I was getting a mysterious clunk out of the LSD in the rear diff when taking off from a dead stop. Before making the leap of replacing the LSD under warrenty, I had the Nissan dealer replace the OEM diff fluid (both front and rear) with Amsoil synthetic gear lubricant. The clunk immediately became less severe and after a couple thousand miles, disappeared completely. LSD function seems just fine as well.

Dunno if this experience translates very well to your situation but there it is for sure! hehehe...

Hootowl......

so maybe try the Amisol synthetic? might help lessen/remove the clunk noise?

Ahhhh! Float... do not do this unless there is no chance that you have a clutch diff. Most likely the above guy happened to have a clutch type as well in his swap and didnt know it, added the synthetic, and made the plates slippery enough not to clunk. This will also affect the locking capability. If you have a kaaz diff, you must use kaaz fluid or a similar type of clutch diff fluid.

[float_6969]

I'm not going to touch it. I'm gonna put the rear cover back on, put my old VLSD back in there and then remove the clutch LSD out of this diff and put it up on eBay.

I use the car for autocross only and I'd rather have a Helical, and this should just about pay for it!

[float_6969]

Thanks for the help guys, I'm off to go put the car back together so I can drive to work tomorrow.

[Ozzie]

sorry for the potentially bad info! my bad!

[Dattebayo]

I totally think it is a clutch type LSD. Look at those weird brakets with the huge bolts holding in the side shafts...

It kinda looks like something that was swapped in from a different donor vehicle. Just my little opinion.

[nismofly]

I'm not going to touch it. I'm gonna put the rear cover back on, put my old VLSD back in there and then remove the clutch LSD out of this diff and put it up on eBay.

I use the car for autocross only and I'd rather have a Helical, and this should just about pay for it!

too bad you cant be sure, depending on brand/age, etc., so your auction would be accurate, that way people would probably pay more and youd make quite a profit

maybe enough to get an s15 hlsd

[naed240sx]

I'm not going to touch it. I'm gonna put the rear cover back on, put my old VLSD back in there and then remove the clutch LSD out of this diff and put it up on eBay.

I use the car for autocross only and I'd rather have a Helical, and this should just about pay for it!

You do realize that a clutch type is just about as good as a helical for autocross right? I do agree that you should find out more info about it, and clean it up alot before selling to make a higher profit.

[Dano]

hahaha, told u, loser.

I <3 Float

-Dan

[float_6969]

From looking at the cams on it, it's a 2 way LSD. The lockup on a clutch type LSD is much more harsh as well. For autoX, I believe that a helical is a better diff. I kinda look at it like this...

Open-Viscous-Helical-Clutch-Solid

A Helical is a little more on the "open" side whereas a clutch is a little more on the "solid" side.

[Not_a_sr]

that deff looks aftermarket clutch type, kinda like my kaaz. ill look at it tomorrow to see if there is any thing on it that may help identify it .

[float_6969]

Thanks Jon.

[C-Kwik]

Here is an easy way to tell. Grab both of the output flanges, one in each hand. Turn it in opposite directions. With a viscous, you'll get a slow turning movement. With a clutch, if you can get enough force into it, you'll typically have total resistance and then it will break free at a certain point. But it won't feel as constant as the viscous.

[float_6969]

Yea, I tried that already. There was NO WAY IN HELL I could get them to turn in different directions. That was actually the reason I opened it up because I was afraid it had been welded.

I think the reason I couldn't move it was because the guy I bought it from replaced the fluid before he sent it and I don't think he realized it was a clutch type (obviously or he wouldn't have sold it for that price) and didn't put any clutch lube in there.

[Joe]

Yea, I tried that already. There was NO WAY IN HELL I could get them to turn in different directions. That was actually the reason I opened it up because I was afraid it had been welded.

I think the reason I couldn't move it was because the guy I bought it from replaced the fluid before he sent it and I don't think he realized it was a clutch type (obviously or he wouldn't have sold it for that price) and didn't put any clutch lube in there.

clutch lube?

you dont want the plates to slip, thats how the diff works. on traction

if its a kaaz i can GUARNTEE you dont need clutch lube. you run dino oil. or kaaz fluid if you can afford it. i run 80-140 lucas heavy duty gear oil in my kaaz.

most of the clutch differentials ive been around dont require any kind of additive to get it to work, also reccomend against synthetic. but it can vary by brand.

[naed240sx]

You can add friction modifiers to the fluid to make it less chattery.

[sdtouge]

ok you guys have some BAD infoif you have akaaz you dont need kaaz fluidnormal organic gear oil will worki use valvoline 80-90 in my old diff. this is from perrsonal expieirnce, not what i heard frmo some unreliable source on the interenet.on clutch type, you dont need friction modifer or whatever, thats for VLSD, the clutches in the diff is the friction modifer...

kamin hit it right on the head with the fluid post.and to me, that looks exactly like a tomei.

[Joe]

You can add friction modifiers to the fluid to make it less chattery.

yea and that means your clutches are slipping.

NO modifiers, NO synthetic on most clutch LSD's.

[float_6969]

Good to know. I've never driven/rode in a car w/a clutch LSD, so I wasn't familiar w/the sound.

I think I've found someone on eBay who I'm just going to trade the clutch lsd in for a helical with.

[float_6969]

Well no luck with the trade.

Anybody want to buy a clutch type LSD? It'll come with both sides of both bearings and both output shafts/flanges.

The first person with $695 get's it shipped to them in the lower 48 states.

Email me HERE

[Looneybomber]

[punk kid voice]Hey dude, like that LSD looks totally teh hotness, will that work in my Ford exploder p1mp mobile?[/punk kid voice]

For real though, when did your VLSD go out, or are you just wanting to upgrade?

[float_6969]

Just wanting to upgrade. The viscous still works fine, but it's kind of the bottom of the barrell as far as LSD's are concerned.

The problem with a viscous type is that one tire has to start slipping before it will lock them up.

They kind of act like an open differential with some locking capabilities.