Identifying an LSD rearend once removed?

[BaliLover]

I purchased what was supposed to be an LSD rear end from a local wrecking yard but now that it's arrived I'm not so sure. When I talked to them I specified that it had to be LSD from an 89-94 240sx and that not all 240's had them. The guy on the phone was nice enough and told me they had 8 rear ends total, but only 2 with LSD. I told him to deliver it to me and the next day it was.

I looked for an orange tag, but couldn't see one, and this particular pumpkin/housing had been coated in a rust protectant of some sort that is super thick and super hard so I'm not able to tell if there ever was one.

When I turn one output shaft, the other one turns the opposite direction. I checked one here and one person says that turning the opposite direction is a sign of NO LSD, but then someone else says that theory doesn't work with a VSLD which is what the 240s have.

I can't try the old "put one tire in dirt" trick, or the "Dump the clutch at 4000rpm" trick since its not in the car.

Are there any numbers on the housing itself that would identify it, like cast into it, or am I playing a guessing game until it's on the car. I'd hate to have spent money on anoter rearend exactly like the one I have.

Are there any ways to 100% identify it as an LSD or non-LSD without having it in the car?

[RobDET]

first thing is that that trick DOES work with the vlsd. I am 100% sure. I own a 180sx VLSD from japan. It has the sticker. they both turn the same way.

Second thing is that the lsd has 5 bolts in a star shape to the CV's (maybe jdm only but i don't think so) where the non lsd has 6 bolts in the shape of a Y 2 at each point of the Y.

I'll bet its not an lsd

[BaliLover]

There are no CVs in a RWD vehicle so I'm assuming you are talking about the output shafts. If this is the case, then I must have the wrong info because I was always told that the LSD from a 240sx would bolt right up to the axles, but my axles are setup in the Y pattern, not the five pointed star arrangement.

[Movingviolation240]

the Z32 and some of the J30's had the 5 star flange, the +95 J30 and a HICAS 240 had the other flange (3 sets of 2). You have an open diff. You have to get the LSD off a HICAS car if you want a S13 unit. Otherwise get a J30 one and swap rear covers. See if you can get your money back and call Chip at Cardinal Performance, he's got a BUNCH of Silvia rear ends layin around that would bolt right in with no modifications. 678 758 1475 Chip is his name (that's his cell)

Paul

[RobDET]

there are CV's thats what the axels are called they are the same constant velocity joints that are in a fwd car...

[BaliLover]

You are the first person that I have EVER heard call rear axles CVs. Yes, All FWD axles can also be called CVs but the term is technically incorrect. The CV is the joint that flexes at a different angle right by the wheel. ITs called a CV JOINT because it flexes like a joint in your arm. I've never seen a RWD vehicle with one. And I've damn sure never heard of anyone having to replace on in a RWD vehicle.

As far as I know, FWD vehicles need them because their drive axles also turn and change angles. Unless you've got Hicas, your rear wheels don't do this so there isn't much need for a CV joint. You do however have a universal joint, but thats got to do with the driveshaft, not the axles.

[RobDET]

they do do this... suspension travel causes changes is toe... thus CV joints are required in all IRS RWD cars... Some real old cars ( i know the old jags for instance) had 2 univeral joints at each end of the shaft. The things in your 240 work in exactially the same way as CV joints on a FWD car they just change angle to a lesser degree. Also when the car is at the bottom of it's suspension travel or the top there is angle to be worked out. They are CV's man.

here's a quote from a tech website

"Types of CV-joints and CV-Joint Wear

To satisfy the needs of different applications, CV-joints come in a variety of styles. The different types of joints can be referred to by position (inboard or outboard), by function (fixed or plunging), or by design (ball type or tripod).

Inboard and Outboard Joints

In FWD drivelines, two CV-joints are used on each half-shaft. The joint nearer the transaxle is the inner or inboard joint, and the one nearer the wheel is the outer or outboard joint. In a RWD vehicle with independent suspension (IRS), the joint nearer the differential can also be referred to as the inboard joint. The one closer to the wheel is the outboard joint.

There are two basic types of outboard CV-joints, the Rzeppa fixed CV-joint and the fixed tripod joint. Three basic types of inboard CV-joints are used: double-offset CV-joint (DOJ), plunging tripod CV-joint, and the cross-groove plunge joint. The applications of these vary with car make and model"

This is the type we have

[curbsurfer]

dang balilover, if you know so much about rear axles and C/V's then why do you ask us how to tell if you have a LSD?

a rear axle on a 240sx has 2 c/v joints