How to fix a limited slip differential

This is the second of a two part video set, showing how to diagnose and fix a broken limited slip differential in a 1998 Dodge Ram. This is the stock Chrysler Trac Lok limited slip differential with the 9.25" ring gear. The Belleville washers on both sides were broken, so I replaced the clutch packs on both sides. Various methods of installing the new clutch packs are discussed and shown.
This video is an amateur demonstration done for entertainment purposes but is not a qualified instructional video. The results are offered in good faith, for free, but with no guarantee as to accuracy or safety. Before you decide to attempt this kind of repair you should honestly appraise your skill set and your willingness to accept risk. Any misadventure you encounter if you decide to accept these risks are your responsibility.

Music credits:

[benniedonald]

Great job explaining your way versus other ways. I am looking at replacing my wheel bearings and seals. I am not sure what to look for but I will keep this video close by. I am in hopes nothing needs replacing but the seals and bearings. Oh and of course grease and fluids.
Thank you for making this awesome video.

[colereid]

Thanks for posting this awesome video! I had to do this job while restoring a rather sentimental 08 Ram. Everything differential and limited-slip were good except one of the 4 clutch pack keeper keys were broken, I can't figure out what would cause enough force to break one. Your Video was a godsend and made life easier. Your bench set-up was fantastic - super easy to replicate and worked seamlessly!

[writtenpieceopaper]

Thank you so much for your in-depth explanations! I'm using it to diagnose my 2008 Jeep Wrangler non-Rubicon with the dreaded Trac-Lok.

[MattBrownbill]

I didn't even know I had an LSD until today, and now I have almost finished rebuilding it. Thanks for the help. 👍

[garyparent]

Love this video. Your attention to detail and great explanation of every action are terrific. THANKS!

[notamechanc]

This helped a ton! I'm replacing Belleville springs in mine too and the thrust washers are a pain! Thank you.

[nofortunatesonII]

I get a laugh out of mechanics marking both caps. If one is marked, it is obvious where it goes. Thank-you for posting the video.

[michaelbezoski]

If you could explain how you've developed such patience with a repair such as this I may attempt it "but" probably not, I know me too well. Thank you for filming this. Great job & many thanks!

[elcheapo]

That was great, Dave, thanks for doing this video. Reading the instructions in the dealer repair manual didn't make a lot of sense, especially with the compressing of the gears. But it does now that I've seen it. Take care!

[ThePracticalMechanic]

Great video. I wish all differentials had the side bearing adjusting screws. I did bearings on two chevys and one ford last week and all of them required changes to the shim packs to achieve the proper backlash and preload. Adjusting screws would have made that much easier. At least most of my Toyota’s have side adjusters.

[jackt]

You are correct in putting them back where the way they were, especially if you don't know for sure. What matters is if they are hunting or non-hunting gear sets. Using an example at the ring and pinion level, the Ford 3.00 gears have a 13 tooth pinion and a 39 tooth ring. 13 x 3 = 39. This is a non-hunter, and it is critical to get back back the way it was. The same situation holds true for spider/differential pinion to side/axle gears. Assembling other than the original will result in dissimilar wear patterns and excessive wear. These little gears need all the help they can get. If you know the ratio, an easy way to tell if you have a non-hunting ratio is to find out whether there is a whole number that can be multiplied by your ratio to come up with a whole-number. For example with a 3.55:1 ratio, nothing can be multiplied by any whole number to get a whole number, so it is hunting. But a 3.50:1 ratio can be multiplied by many whole numbers to get a whole number, 2 for example, yielding another whole number 7.0, so it is non-hunting. So "you done good" by putting it back the way it was, and for those who don't know which way to go, put it back like it was. If it is a non-hunter, you save a lot of wear, loss of strength, and noise. If it was a hunter, it was an "exercise" but there will be no negative consequences.

[schraubenschussel]

Great video, thank you really much. I always wanted to know what's the thing with these LS diffs and you gave me all the Infos AND hacks for it ❤

[ronnieo]

Nice job sir. A lot if good info. Thank you.

[SVImpavidus]

These have been two really good videos. Thanks for sharing. Sail Safe mate. Ant, Cid & the pooch crew.

[rudyhunter]

Tech tip: use a dab of grease on the clips for the clutch packs to keep it stuck on while installing...

[joerives]

Great tutorial video thank you very much it had been great great help 🙏🙏 for my project

[jefftraf]

Thankyou for the video, Your Awesome!!

[shawnmrfixitlee]

Great share, Glad it is working good now ! Not an easy task for sure .. ENJOYED

[jeremymoreau]

Great video... thanks. It helped a lot.

[INOMORETHNU]

Nice vid from a nice guy! Good show ol chap