My '02 has 3.90's and an Auburn Pro rear end, and I'm getting some traction issues. I'm getting a "one wheel peel" on right hand turns unless I'm really throttling down on it, but good limited-slip on the left turns. One tire went low on air a while back and I had to drive on it for about 5 miles (low enough to kill the Nitto sidewall), after that I threw the donut on there and put another Nitto on about a week later. Could this have worn the Aurburn limited-slip function? Can it be sent in or replaced? Can't find their website. Any info.
Auburn Pro failure
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You might have burned out the clutch cone. When you drive with two different sized tires (as when one is very low on air) the clutches have to continually slip. They are not designed for that. I don't know whether their warranty will pay for it (they have some sort of exchange program as well, but am not sure how they would evaluate this case.)
Bottom line is to not drive on unequal-sized tires with a good limited slip like the Auburn. The springs are _tight_ to work hard to transfer power to both wheels, while not wearing the tires out when you turn. But they are designed to slip a little on turns, but not all the time. Would not be surprised to find the diff fluid well-scorched as well.
I checked the fluid and it was good. I know the car isn't made to run on different size tires; no choice for the week, but that shouldn't kill a rear end. Maybe Auburn does suck.
SaleenGT2001
Well-Known Member
you ran a full week on differenty size tires.
thats enough to kill the diff IMO.
i would have swapped a front tire to the rear and put the donut on the front
thats enough to kill the diff IMO.
i would have swapped a front tire to the rear and put the donut on the front
You are making the clutches slip continuously as you drive the car. What would it to to your drive clutch if you never let it engage? How long do you think it would last? You are doing _exactly_ that to your rear end when the tires are not the same diameter. Expecting it to survice that is not realistic.
The ford limited-slip is weak. It is beyond weak. The spring that applies clutch pressure is a small S-spring. The traction lock has a better friction material and more pressure. Making it slip is going to burn it out. Not because it is a poor product (it isn't) but because it is being wildly abused. I know many drag racers that run these on their street/strip cars although some are moving to the new auburn traction-lock that is pretty quiet for a true locker...
I wouldn't badly abuse something and then gripe when it doesn't survive. Just over-rev your supercharger with no oil and then complain about the result of that...
Okay Bob, please don't get smart. A mechanic told me that it wouldn't hurt it for "only" a week. Bad advisement. I appreciate all the information and opinions, and have learned something that was different from what I was originally told. This is my first car in 6 years since my '69 Sportsroof-no limited slip there- so I'm new to the new cars and this technology. Reguardless, the question was about sending it to Auburn or taking it somewhere. Anybody know?
Rusty67
Dirt-Old 20+Year Member
Auburn units are servicable. You should find yourself a good local shop that does a lot of rear end work. They should be able to rebuild it for you.
http://www.auburngear.com/aftermarket/products/differentials/default.asp?page=sk
Not sure if they offer clutch packs directly from the website or what. Give them a call tomorrow.
http://www.auburngear.com/aftermarket/products/differentials/default.asp?page=sk
Not sure if they offer clutch packs directly from the website or what. Give them a call tomorrow.
I would use the term "mechanic" loosely there. He should know better. With any sort of posi-traction/limited-slip/sure-grip/etc type clutch based rear-end, the rear tires must be the same size. And hopefully you don't drive it around and around in circles either as that causes the same problem.
An auburn rear end has a one year warranty. The only question is, will they look at and say "no way"??? Only answer is to send it to them. But don't mention the donut tire.
But note that any rear end that attempts to control traction is going to fail with unequal sized tires. Lockers included. A full spool won't be damaged, but your donut won't make it a week.
I can't imagine driving a week on a donut anyway when their life expectancy is 50 miles or less...
