Powr-Lok limited slip diffs - knowledge base

pduske · Post by **pduske** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:53 am

Hi fellows,

I started this thread to share my experience on this and it should be the basket for all further posts on the Powr-Loks...

I have those on both axles since years and was not 100% satisfied with the lock-up (the clutch packs are nearly new). I tested a row of diff oils and additives so far:
- plain 80W90 + Mopar limited slip (=l/s) additive
- plain 80W90 + Jaguar l/s additive (the Jag XJR had also Powr-Lok in the rear)
- ready mixed 80W90 l/s

Last summer during further research I came accross the Red Line products.
I called them and the talk with one of their tech. developers was quite interesting: technically identical l/s with friction plates are used in many race cars - so there is a demand from that side also. Red Line therefore offers a diff oil that is without any additives (marked "NS" - no slippage) that leads to slippage (most normal diff oils already contain substances that lead to slippage of the friction plates).

After completely emptying the diff (I kept mine open for 2 weeks - still dropping...), they fill in the NS diff oil, to have a plain "zero" start with adjusting. Then Red Line friction modifier ist added (starting with 3% of the fillage of NS) as a bottom line. Then start testing making turns on smooth ground, eg. grass and see how the lock-up is (noticable on the grass destruction, wife should be in local shopping mall during this, spend ice for the children). Then repeat this on paved road - carefully, later also on wet, slippery, snowed, icy roads - you don´t want to go straight on corners...

The more additive is filled in, the more slip you get - it is biasing between off-road capability an on-road maneuverability...

In my case these two products really made a difference "before/after" - for me the proof it´s worth the money and not only product marketing...

So far from my side, hope this answers questions of others also.

Philipp

Post by **wesk** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 10:00 am

Hello Philipp,

Two questions.

1- What does this represent?

l/s

2- I don't see a test with the correct limited slip gear oil specified in the jeep manual and still available at Chrysler dealers. Were you not able to obtain this ready to fill gear oil from Chrysler in Europe.

pduske · Post by **pduske** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 10:16 am

Wes,

l/s = limited slip

yes I also tried that also for one season - we have good coverage of Chrysler car dealers here also...

Philipp

Post by **wesk** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:09 pm

yes I also tried that also for one season

What were your test results for that one season with the specified Jeep/Chrysler LS lubricant?

Can you elaborate on the results of your tests with the three Gear oil + additive as well?

pduske · Post by **pduske** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:36 am

Hi Wes,

the experiences were with all diff oil combinations applied before, that off-road the Powr-Loks did not lock up as I expected. Now it comes near to results as Dr. Vern described his Powr-Lok.

Post by **wesk** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 10:17 am

So none of these outperformed the other? All four performed exactly the same?

- plain 80W90 + Mopar limited slip (=l/s) additive
- plain 80W90 + Jaguar l/s additive (the Jag XJR had also Powr-Lok in the rear)
- ready mixed 80W90 l/s
the original Chrysler LS lubricant.

pduske · Post by **pduske** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 5:18 am

Hello Wes,

certainly there must be some differences but they where not really noticeable for me. I remember the combination The combination "plain 80W90 + Mopar limited slip" - gave the best of the still non-satisfying results.

Philipp