VLSD Wear!

[SubyFusion]

Is it true that after about 60,000 miles the clutch packs tend to stop working and the diff will act more and more like its open? How can you tell if your clutch pack is not engaging?

-Brian

[Florin1]

I think if you lift up the rear and spin one wheel by hand, the other one should engage and spin in the same direction right away. If it takes it a little while, than your clutch packs are wearing out.

[mike-tracy]

VLSD isn't a clutch pack based LSD, it's a (V)iscous unit. It's possible to burn it up a VLSD, especially if used off road, but they tend to last a long time if used on pavement.

[SubyFusion]

Sorry a stack of perforated discs! same shit!

[n2x4]

No, not really the same at all.
In a clutch setup, the clutches engage and cause both wheels to spin. When the clutches wear you can adjust the clutches, replace them, or add some friction modifier.

In a VLSD there is a a fluid that passes through disks in a sealed housing when slippage occurs. Kind of works like a torque converter in automatic cars. VLSD wear and failure is from the deterioration of the fluid. Excessive heat can cause the disks to warp and fail, but usually it's the fluid that wears out. Since it's sealed there's nothing you can do but buy a new VLSD unit.

60,000 miles? Maybe, every unit will be different depending on how they were driven. There really isn't a good way to tell.

[SubyFusion]

That sucks! so you just keep loosing more and more traction in the back and you can't even tell!