Welded diffs - my results

subaduba · Post by **subaduba** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:44 pm

When I was looking to improve the off-road performance of my L, I spent a bit of time asking heaps of dumb questions on this forum about whether welding my diff would be the way to go.

Well, I have had the diff welded now for a few months and I can report that I am very happy with the results.

What I have done is grind off the stub axles underneath so that the shaft can be put in in a couple of minutes, and I only need a bent bit of heavy wire through the locating holes on the outside stub axle to stop the shaft from dropping out. The inside one is left longer and can't drop out.

On the performance side, it does give me much better traction - particularly in sand, but on all surfaces. The downside is that sometimes it reduces momentum on rocky twisty tracks due to the increased turning resistance of the 'fixed' rear axle.

Generally though - thumbs up!

smoov · Post by **smoov** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 6:07 am

how long have you had this for? how many offroading trips have you done so far?

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:34 am

I love my welded diff. Right now, due to front CV problems, I am driving around with the rear right axle in, essentially 1WD. Gives for some interesting torque steer, but also has its fun side too

I find it really comes into its own in situations where one rear wheel leaves the ground (in a Subaru that is ALL the time). Especially so when I watch cars with LSD's proceed through the same area and have trouble, as the wheel in the air starts to receive all the torque (have seen this on viscous and clutch).

It's also great for hill ascents, I find its easier to maintain a smooth ascent as the wheels aren't skidding every which way.

bluesteel · Post by **bluesteel** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 11:17 am

i had all sorts of trouble trying to drive around in 1 wheel drive with the monsterwagon.... no weight over the rear wheels and only one of em spinning, trying to back into my driveway on a steep wet hill was damn near impossible

but was fun trying tho

but welded is definately the way to go for offroading... makes tricky bits soooooooooo much easier

stinky · Post by **stinky** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:33 pm

I love the feeling of the rear end sliding over the place as the locked diff forces them to turn as you're going up a tough hill!

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 7:35 pm

Yeah, I love that feeling too.

Also, when you're travelling along on sand you can dump the clutch and wrench the wheel and be facing the way you came straight away. Heaps of fun.

SuBaRiNo · Post by **SuBaRiNo** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:53 pm

I love the way they snap diff studs... awesome that. lol

Dave

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 8:55 pm

tim_81coupe wrote: I find it really comes into its own in situations where one rear wheel leaves the ground (in a Subaru that is ALL the time). Especially so when I watch cars with LSD's proceed through the same area and have trouble, as the wheel in the air starts to receive all the torque (have seen this on viscous and clutch).

Guess which two cars I was referring to there... one's red and one's blue.

SuBaRiNo · Post by **SuBaRiNo** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:35 pm

lol yeah i just can't seams to remember them particular times.

Dave

SuBaRiNo · Post by **SuBaRiNo** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 9:37 pm

I have also witnessed a subaru roll over which apeared to be caused from having a welded diff.

Despite my belief that a welded diff is both anoying to engage every trip and un-healthy for the car... if i hadn't have pickud up an LSD i would have surely welded it myself.

Dave

smoov · Post by **smoov** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 10:11 pm

SuBaRiNo wrote:I have also witnessed a subaru roll over which apeared to be caused from having a welded diff.

Despite my belief that a welded diff is both anoying to engage every trip and un-healthy for the car... if i hadn't have pickud up an LSD i would have surely welded it myself.

Dave

ditto.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 2:30 pm

somebody needs to come up with an automatic "flick of a switch" which pops the extra driveshaft in at the rear when you want to use your welded diff

tim_81coupe · Post by **tim_81coupe** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:06 pm

LOL. Perhaps we can modify the electric clutch off the front of an A/C compressor, Andrew...

SuBaRiNo · Post by **SuBaRiNo** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:44 pm

WA Jonno had some ideas about this... and he really got me thinking about a few possible options.

Dave

BaronVonChickenPants · Post by **BaronVonChickenPants** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:53 pm

Modified inner cup to house a dog clutch and a uni joint? Don't know how well it would work, just thought of it.

Jordan.