Limited slip diffs

Frank67 · Jun 23, 2018

Which diff is best for a bike trike? My last trike was a Suzuki 850 ,I was told the axle was either a Suzuki swift or SJ 410 ,what ever it was it scared the ****e out of me!

Going round bends at 70 was not pleasant,even on gentle dual carriageway bends (freeways to Americans) the awkward heap of junk wanted to visit the other side of the road ! Took a lot of effort and slowing down to get it at steer away from the central barrier..okay it still had normal front tyre and comparatively narrow bars.

I don't remember my Yamaha trike being that bad but it was twenty years ago.

Found out later the previous owner of the Suzy came off the thing and died !

Now the question is ,what type of diff gives lighter steering?

I always thought limited slip was invented to allow the outside wheel to turn faster in a bend than the inner ,thus facilitating the turn and reducing wear on the tyres. So I figured it'd allow quicker steering ? Am I wrong. Any advice welcome.

LarryA · Jun 24, 2018

A limited slip diff would try to keep you going straight ahead.....not a good thing. It may be possible to disable the springs/clutches etc. that make up the limited slip function, and go back to an open rear end.....others will know more...Welcome to Trike Talk!

Frank67 · Jun 24, 2018

LarryA said:
A limited slip diff would try to keep you going straight ahead.....not a good thing. It may be possible to disable the springs/clutches etc. that make up the limited slip function, and go back to an open rear end.....others will know more...Welcome to Trike Talk!

Thanks Larry, so no Jag or BMW axles then?

Sidecarbill · Jun 24, 2018

I think you're confusing the the two. A differential is what allows the wheels to turn at a different speed in corners. All cars have differentials not all differentials are limited slip.

vwbug72501 · Jun 24, 2018

Here's a basic explanation of the two diffs: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-toolbox/open-vs-limited-slip-differentials/28854

I'd suggest that you take your trike to a auto recycler (can't remember Brit term even after watching Wheeler Dealers

)and see if they can identify the differential from experience, casting numbers, etc. Then you will know exactly what you have.

The thing about LSDs is that their clutch loading is calculated for the weight of the vehicle among other things and you are definitely lighter than the original vehicle. Once you know what you have, if it is LSD, then you might look up a driveline shop for some expert advice about modifying your diff.

Also, Pictures....We love pictures.

LarryA · Jun 24, 2018

just jack up rear of trike with both rear wheels of the ground....turn 1 wheel forward... if other wheel turns forward also...you have a limited slip or a locking type differential....if the other wheel turns rearward, you have what we call an open differential. You may be confusing an independent rear end setup...jag, corvette etc. with a limited slip...apples and oranges, Independent rears, or rigid housing types of rear ends can be either limited slip or open.

stacebg · Jun 25, 2018

Frank67 said:
Which diff is best for a bike trike? My last trike was a Suzuki 850 ,I was told the axle was either a Suzuki swift or SJ 410 ,what ever it was it scared the ****e out of me!

Going round bends at 70 was not pleasant,even on gentle dual carriageway bends (freeways to Americans) the awkward heap of junk wanted to visit the other side of the road ! Took a lot of effort and slowing down to get it at steer away from the central barrier..okay it still had normal front tyre and comparatively narrow bars.

I don't remember my Yamaha trike being that bad but it was twenty years ago.

Found out later the previous owner of the Suzy came off the thing and died !

Now the question is ,what type of diff gives lighter steering?

I always thought limited slip was invented to allow the outside wheel to turn faster in a bend than the inner ,thus facilitating the turn and reducing wear on the tyres. So I figured it'd allow quicker steering ? Am I wrong. Any advice welcome.

it is possible you have too much trail..

but do like larry said ... figure if it is limited or open diff.... i am betting it the front end..

Frank67 · Jul 12, 2018

Limited slip

LarryA said:
A limited slip diff would try to keep you going straight ahead.....not a good thing. It may be possible to disable the springs/clutches etc. that make up the limited slip function, and go back to an open rear end.....others will know more...Welcome to Trike Talk!

Thanks for your reply,sorry I took so long getting back,I have since seen a video on this subject and understand a bit better. Obviously my last trike was LSD , previous owner thought it came from a Suzuki four wheel drive, which explains the straight lining.

rhino 2 · Jul 12, 2018

Limited slip is just like a regular differential in normal driving....It only comes into play if one wheel is on ice sand or on a slippy surface,..IE; When only one wheel starts to spin it transfers power to the stationary wheel ....Almost all pick-up trucks and now most cars have some from of limited slip...And they all track straight, I think some are confusing a Locked axle for limited slip....Two different animals,

stacebg · Jul 13, 2018

rhino 2 said:
Limited slip is just like a regular differential in normal driving....It only comes into play if one wheel is on ice sand or on a slippy surface,..IE; When only one wheel starts to spin it transfers power to the stationary wheel ....Almost all pick-up trucks and now most cars have some from of limited slip...And they all track straight, I think some are confusing a Locked axle for limited slip....Two different animals,

in a manner of speaking i suppose it puts power to the stationary wheel... but it really ties the two wheels together

rhino 2 · Jul 13, 2018

stacebg said:
in a manner of speaking i suppose it puts power to the stationary wheel... but it really ties the two wheels together

Yes, But with a clutch inside the differential so the axle isn't locked when both wheels are finally spinning at the same speed........

LarryA · Jul 13, 2018

to put it another way.....on a limited slip differential both wheels are tied together by the friction of the clutchs and their springs....during a turn, the clutch plates must slip while the spider gears are rotating around the side gears. the clutch friction, developed by the springs and clutch plates, determines how much the rear axle will resist deviating from straight ahead travel.

kwikas · Dec 17, 2018

stacebg said:
in a manner of speaking i suppose it puts power to the stationary wheel... but it really ties the two wheels together

OK. I stumbled upon this thread (thankfully) because I am now looking at my first trike build. I am starting at the back end first I guess but this is crucially important.......so.......

"Can a limited slip diff be used in a trike build or must an open type diff be used"?

I would have thought that limited slip types are OK but if they are specifically set up around the vehicles weight then that will mean they need mods when installed on a trike.

There are a LOT of LS diffs around which means more choices...or does it?

Can anyone clarify the whole LS vs open thing? Thanks.

rhino 2 · Dec 17, 2018

kwikas said:
OK. I stumbled upon this thread (thankfully) because I am now looking at my first trike build. I am starting at the back end first I guess but this is crucially important.......so.......

"Can a limited slip diff be used in a trike build or must an open type diff be used"?

I would have thought that limited slip types are OK but if they are specifically set up around the vehicles weight then that will mean they need mods when installed on a trike.

There are a LOT of LS diffs around which means more choices...or does it?

Can anyone clarify the whole LS vs open thing? Thanks.

Andrew......Welcome to Trike-Talk......:wave4:.....And see posts 9 to 12...

stacebg · Dec 18, 2018

kwikas said:
OK. I stumbled upon this thread (thankfully) because I am now looking at my first trike build. I am starting at the back end first I guess but this is crucially important.......so.......

"Can a limited slip diff be used in a trike build or must an open type diff be used"?

I would have thought that limited slip types are OK but if they are specifically set up around the vehicles weight then that will mean they need mods when installed on a trike.

There are a LOT of LS diffs around which means more choices...or does it?

Can anyone clarify the whole LS vs open thing? Thanks.

guess i cant explain it much better than already done.... bottom line imo is open diff on a trike other wise you will be working harder to make it turn.. course there are many factors to be considered.. how long is the trike, why do dont you want to use an open diff, you looking to ride on the beach, tooking to do two wheel burnouts

Andrew it may sound this is directed at you personally. it is NOT .... i use "you" in a general sense

kwikas · Dec 19, 2018

stacebg said:
guess i cant explain it much better than already done.... bottom line imo is open diff on a trike other wise you will be working harder to make it turn.. course there are many factors to be considered.. how long is the trike, why do dont you want to use an open diff, you looking to ride on the beach, tooking to do two wheel burnouts Andrew it may sound this is directed at you personally. it is NOT .... i use "you" in a general sense

stacebg/rhino 2.

All good...I just couldn't quite figure this LSD/OD matter out. What was being explained just seemed to be a bit ambiguous so was seeking some clarity. Thanks for your responses.

OK, so open diff it is......

Limited slip diffs

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