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View Full Version : vLSD stopped working

Danio
03-05-2003, 05:32 PM
I've been using a 96 J30 vLSD on my 98 240SX for about a year now. At the Drift Showoff event recently, a couple people noticed that my LSD wasn't working anymore (from watching the wheels and from driving). One guy suggested changing the differential oil but would that help? I thought the differential oil doesn't need to be changed often. The vLSD was working just fine a little more than a month ago at Thunderhill Raceway. Anyone know what might have gone wrong, and should I just get a better LSD?
AKADriver
03-05-2003, 05:42 PM
Changing the diff oil won't affect the VLSD, the viscous unit is sealed off inside.
240meowth
03-05-2003, 05:46 PM
from what i understand, the VLSD gives out and acts like a open diff after the fluid heats up to a certain point. maybe you just used it too much and it was hot...
mrdirty
03-05-2003, 06:34 PM
Originally posted by 240meowth
from what i understand, the VLSD gives out and acts like a open diff after the fluid heats up to a certain point. ...

I thought it was the reverse, heats up then locks:confused:
mrdirty
03-05-2003, 06:35 PM
Originally posted by AKADriver
Changing the diff oil won't affect the VLSD, the viscous unit is sealed off inside.
I didn't know that, how do u change the fluid then?
Dousan_PG
03-05-2003, 07:10 PM
vlsd sucks
get a real one and you'll never regret it
AKADriver
03-05-2003, 07:22 PM
Originally posted by mrdirty
I didn't know that, how do u change the fluid then?

You maintain the gear oil as you would for an open diff. Same oil, same quantity AFAIK. No "LSD oil" is necessary... That's for clutch LSDs. I repeat: NO LSD OIL. I don't want to see that thread come up again, damnit. NO LSD OIL IN A VLSD.

The viscous fluid is "maintenance free"... since there isn't any metal to metal contact inside the viscous coupling, it should in theory never "go bad" like oil does...

...but it does. After a while, a lot of heat cycles, etc... it can break down. At that point the VLSD is dead, and it can't be salvaged, though it'll still work fine as an open diff, I guess.
SilviaDriver
03-05-2003, 09:12 PM
is there any way you can tell if the VLSD is dead inside the car? besides having people look from the outside?