Testing of Limited Slip Diff

[rob kennedy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close rob kennedy]

Hi All

Im a new owner to a 97 gxl and would like to see and test the lsd in the rear as this is all time 4x4 what is the best way to test this and do i need to remove the front tail shaft.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Don't bother, by the time the original owner drove home from the dealership the LSD had stopped working.

[Beach Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beach]

Also, don't stress it to much in standard trim. Theres a couple of threads about exploding rear diffs. I have deliberately not done to much with my vehicle until I get stronger bits and a locker, based on the failures that have been documented.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Your LSD doesn't work, you don't need to test it, that's just the way it is, they are useless at the best of times and les than that with the age of your vehicle.

I wouldn't get too stressed about diff failures either, yes they break from time to time, the great unknown about these failures is how the vehicle is driven. Personally I only know of 1 guy that had a diff failure, and although he was pissed as he thought it should have been tougher, I was staggered it lasted as long as it had given I would describe his driving style as that of a mad man in a stolen car!

Cheers Andrew

[Beach Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beach]

http://www.pradopoint.com/archive/in...11016-p-2.html

This is one thread I was referring to.

Theres enough people here that were using their vehicle in a reasonable manner and the failure occurred anyway. I'm a firm believer in learning from the experience of others. The reasons and fix are also documented. More cost cutting by Toyota.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Yes I was sure that was the thread you were referring to. Yes there are documented failures and it can happen, however there are also plenty of Prado's with standard diffs that do loads of off road work without issue. I guarantee you that there are a number of Prado's with standard diffs heading to this years GTG as has happened for every other GTG doing some tough tracks.

I am familiar with the spot where the first poster in that thread did his diff, I am hardly surprised given his description and my knowledge of the location. Likewise the other member I mentioned who was upset about his diff going, he thinks he drives pretty sedately, I think he drives like a maniac!

Its my experience that a lot of people have little or no "mechanical sympathy" and expect things to last despite use and abuse. I could tell you a lot of stories about people "taking it easy" going past me at a rate of knots and disappearing into a cloud of dust only to be stopped up the road with a busted something or other.

I see comments a lot on forums about people not wanting to get out until they have this that or the other mod or accessory, when in truth most 4wdrives will get most places in standard trim with out much of a problem. Sure better tyres, a lift, a locker or 2 all help, but I wouldn't let that stop me from getting out and about on the off chance that I might get unlucky.

Cheers

[Ken in Cairns Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ken in Cairns]

I always though the front diff was the weak point, because of the crush sleeve.

And yes OP don't bother checking it, it will be knackered

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

I always though the front diff was the weak point, because of the crush sleeve.

And yes OP don't bother checking it, it will be knackered

Rear on the 120's, front on the 90's.

[Ken in Cairns Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ken in Cairns]

Ok thanks Glen. I didn't know about the rear diff on the 120's.