Differentials

Differentials are there to resist the inside and outside tire having vastly different rotating speeds. Some may refer to the amount of resistance as the amount of locking.

Preload

Preload is a measure of how much resistance against the inside and outside tires rotating at different speeds, independent of being on power or off power or neutral power.

Friction Faces

Friction faces have the effect of multiplying the amount of locking from a neutral power state to either being on or off the power. The more friction faces you have the more lock you will get on or off power in other words.

Coast/Power Ramp Angles

The ramp angle is the rate the locking ramps up either off power (i.e. coast) or on power (i.e. Drive). So, if you increase the "drive ramp angle" that will ramp up the locking faster as you start to engage more power. Likewise, if you decrease the "coast ramp angle" that will slow down the ramp up of locking when you start to get off the throttle.

How does more or less diff locking/resistance affect off power handling

When entering a corner in an off power scenario, as you increase the amount of locking in the diff through preload friction faces or coast ramp angle, this will cause more understeer. In contrast of course if you decrease the locking of the diff you will allow for more oversteer when off power.

How does more or less diff locking/resistance affect On power handling

The on power scenario is exactly the opposite of the off power scenario when it comes to diffs. When exiting a corner in an on power scenario, as you increase the amount of locking in the diff through preload friction faces or coast ramp angle, this will cause more oversteer most of the time. It can cause an initial feeling of understeer but then most often will move to a snap oversteer, in contrast of course if you decrease the locking of the diff you will allow for more understeer when on power.

Handling Scenarios

In each of the following scenarios, here are things you will help you improve the handling by making changes to the rear differential. You don't need to do all of the suggested changes listed below in these scenarios. It is best to start at the top of the list and do one at a time.

Loose Off Power

• Increase Preload

• Increase Friction Faces

• Increase coast ramp angle

Loose On Power

• Decrease Preload

• Decrease Friction Faces

• Decrease drive ramp angle

Push Off Power

• Decrease Preload

• Decrease Friction Faces

• Decrease coast ramp angle

Push On Power

• Increase Preload

• Increase Friction Faces

• Increase drive ramp angle