Powr-Lok limited slip diffs - knowledge base
Posted: 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
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