FULL FLOATING DIFFERENTIAL

[Jizeep]

What is a full floating differential?... actually I wouldn't mind a summary of a few different type of differentials because all that stuff is kind of confusing to me...definetly wouldn't help to know a little more.[addsig]

[jeepthrills]

full floating diffs: The axle shafts are supported by bearings on both sides and flanged to the hub, the axles themselves do not support the weight of the truck.



non floating: The outer ends of the shafts are supporting the weight. [addsig]

[jprtroy]

Jizeep you've got the terms confused. Full floating axle is the correct term, the differential or carrier is what the axle shafts slip into,recieve power from. A full floater, will prevent the wheel from fall off the vehicle if/when the axle shaft breaks. Held on by the bearing.

The Flanged axle is 2 pieces, where the wheel bolts onto,( a plate lookin thing, the flange) and the axle itself. The flange is held onto the axle with a huge nut (torqued at 250ft/lbs or greater)

Locker = good!

Posi = good

Open = poor/bad





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A locking differential, does just that, it locks both wheels up so they get equal amounts of power. No differential at all

A posi, can either be a limited slip or a locker the perm "posi" comes from "positive traction" Either limited slip or locker will give better traction. For the most part though, when you hear the term "posi" the person is probably spaeking of a locker.

Limited slip; it allows a determined amount of slip (differential) between the 2 wheels when that set rotational speed is exceeded, torque is applied to opposite wheel (one not spinning)

Open differentials. Worst for off-roading. Power is applied to both wheels evenly while the vehicle is driving in a straight line ( no differential) when one wheel starts to spin, that wheel gets all the power (usually the right rear wheel!) Now, if your off road on a trail somewhere,for instance, you negoiciate a rut, and the left leaves the ground in that rut, that left (now in the air wheel) wheel will get all the power! even though the other wheel may be firmly planetd on tera firma! you stop and your stuck (time for the front axle now) Open = wheel in the air gets the power

Same situtation , but with a locker. Even though the one wheel is airborne, the other wheel is still on the ground, it will push you through! Won't need that front axle just yet!

Limited slip, as the airborn wheel begins to spin faster than the other wheel (cuz it's still on the ground) the differential will begin to transfer power to the other wheel, (Theres a percentage of power applied I don't know what it actually is though 50% to 80% perhaps depending on the type of differential setup)

An AIR locker uses air pressure to "lock" it up. When the air is turned off, it becomes an OPEN diff. (kinda best of both worlds!)

Did this shed a little light on the subject?

[addsig]

	Locking Differential Provides even more traction than a limited-slip differential by “locking” the axle shafts together when the driver wants to do it. Locking differentials do not allow for wheel-speed differences and must not be used on dry, paved roads.

[Jizeep]

yes that definetly clears things up, thanks a lot![addsig]