n00b question: only smoking one tire?

[1990LTD]

I haven't had anybody else try this while I watched, or even had anybody watch me, since I don't want to wear through the tire rubber too quick, but when I've done a brakestand, it seems like only the passenger side wheel is making any smoke? I don't let myself sit there and smoke 'em for too long because, like I said, don't want to wear the hell out of my tires.


I am new to CVs and RWD vehicles in general and was wondering what the cause of this may be?

[83countrysquire]

cause you dont have a posi, to get both smoke you need posi track

[1990LTD]

I have no idea what that is.

[1987cp]

Many vehicles left the factory equipped with what is called a limited-slip differential. The usual type (and that which was offered as optional equipment on Ford Crown Victorias) consists of two stacks of clutches with a big S-shaped spring to preload them, which offers a good deal of resistance to rotation of either axleshaft with respect to the differential carrier. The effect is of course, as you seem to expect from your car, that the right and left axleshafts ought to spin at the same speed under power while still allowing normal differential action when cornering. There's a good deal of information on limited-slip differentials in the Drivetrain FAQs here at GMN.

"Posi" is a shortened form of the trade name "Posi-Traction", which is actually a trademark of General Motors but has come to be used as a common term for any limited-slip differential (and sometimes even locking differentials!). The Ford trade name was/is either "Traction Lok" or "Trak Lok" - I can't remember which. Mopar called their limited-slips "Sure-Grip" while AMC's was called "Twin Spin".

BTW, a great many Vics and other RWD vehicles left the factory with a non-limited-slip, or open, differential. Open diffs have the benefit of being essentially maintenance-free, but have obvious shortcomings in performance applications. If you check either the axle code on your driver's door VIN sticker or crawl underneath the vehicle and read the axle tag bolted to the differential cover (assuming it's still there), that should give you a good idea of exactly which differential is in your car - and if it's a Trak-Lok, your experience would seem to indicate that it's in need of rebuilding!

[1990LTD]

I am presuming the axle code to under 'A'?

[1990LTD]

d'oh, thought I typed "AX". Some keys on this laptop don't work as well as they used to. If this is the case the code is Y

[1987cp]

So happens we have a lookup chart right here: http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showpost...97&postcount=2

Y is 3.08:1 open, so evidently your car was never equipped with a Trak-Lok at the factory.

[1990LTD]

Unsurprising! Thanks for your help


I love how the car rides as it is - If anything it could be softer I didn't buy it to make tire smoke, so open it shall stay.

[zoomie]

you have a 3.08 open diff like mine try looking for a "k" code axle its a 3.55 trac loc better gas milage, and better traction not to mention youll smoke both tires if you choose to do so

[1990LTD]

Better mileage, you say? How's that now?

What could I pull one off of?

[zoomie]

Better mileage, you say? How's that now?

What could I pull one off of?

hmm perhaps i spoke too soon about the milage part open mouth insert foot for me lol bu ti know gabe has one in his and gets like 20 or so on the highway thats not too awfly bad

[zoomie]

Better mileage, you say? How's that now?

What could I pull one off of?

you would have to find a lincoln TC,grandmarq or crownvic or stationwagon
under AX will be a K i found 2 of them in my local yard 100 bucks a pop
far as gas milage mine isnt that bad and i have a n 87 TC and the 3.08 gear same as you but ill be upgrading to the 3.55 soon probably a month or so

[85MercPark]

Better mileage, you say? How's that now?

City mileage can improve with 3.55, but it can lower your highway mileage. Depending on alot of variables.

[1990LTD]

Gotcha. Thanks again, all.

[P72Ford]

An open differential allows you to do twice as many burnouts, with the same number of tires.

Just make sure the people who are watching are on the correct side.