Ford Limited Slip Differential

[Steve_382]

I have a 2008 Ford E350 with a V10. It has the 4.10 limited slip differential. It seems like it will spin one tire without spinning the other one most of the time. I noticed a little in the snow this winter and then was playing around on wet roads the other day and it feels like only one wheel is spinning. Of course if you leave the traction control on, it applies the brake to the spinning wheel, but if you shut it off, it seems like only one wheel spins. Anyone else seen this. I should still be in warranty, so will try to take it to Ford and see what they say. You probably don't want to leave the traction control on when going offroad, do you?

Thanks,
Steve

[Steve_382]

Well, I did a little more research and experimenting around today. Looks like my rear diff is OK. I put one tire in the grass and the other on pavement, torqued it up and put the pedal to the metal. No slip what so ever. It just seemed odd that when I had the rear wheels spinning on the wet roads, it didn't fish tail.

[TwoVans]

And by weird you mean good, right?

[carringb]

The traction control will prevent fishtailing.

There isn't much harm leaving it on while off-road, except that constant use can overheat the brake pads. All MB 4x4 and many others rely on traction control for limited slip duty. Its actually rare to get a limited slip diff combined with traction control.

[LeadDoggy]

To the best of my knowledge, Ford does not recommend a LSD diff with their traction control. I put one in my van and have had no issues.

Best way to check for LSD
1. lift one rear wheel and block the other.
2. put trans in Neutral and release parking brake.
3. try to turn lifted wheel.
3a iif it turns easily then you have open diff (or some sort of locker)
3b if it does not turn, then yuo have LSD

[carringb]

Traction control is available on vans without RSC. RSC performs double duty as traction control. Both were available with limited slip.