How to prove the differential is OPEN without taking off the differential cover
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
Last weekend I installed some 5.13's in my axles. I just noticed this thread, and got me to thinking.... I am supposed to have a limited slip in the rear of my JKU. But while in there, the carrier looked the same as the front, and I saw nothing that would make me think it actually had a limited slip. What should I have seen in there that would identify this as a limited slip versus being open? Anyone have pics of what one looks like? All I noticed were the spider gears. Wish I would have thought about this while I was in there, but didn't even hit me as I was trying to do a re-gear and lift in one weekend. 
I don't have a jack here at my place, its in storage as I am between places right now.
I don't have a jack here at my place, its in storage as I am between places right now.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 1
From: Aurora, Colorado, United States
I have a LSD in the rear but have been told that the "clutches" in it are worn out so it acts as an open differental.
i dont know if thats true or a possibility here but seems plausable.
i dont know if thats true or a possibility here but seems plausable.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12,907
Likes: 185
From: Maine
JK Junkie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 2
From: SoCal
Hell make it easy on yourself if it's a auto powerbrake (never mine I see where it's 6 speed) the hell out of it on a wet surface then let her ripp
If you have a single track for the first few feet until the ( TCS (Traction Control System),kicks in it's open
If you have a single track for the first few feet until the ( TCS (Traction Control System),kicks in it's open
Last edited by 33 williys 77; May 23, 2011 at 02:02 PM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington areaa, NC
Originally Posted by wolfmanii
I bought my 2009 JK brand new, on the sticker it says it has limited slip differential on
the rear axle.
Recently, I added ARB differential cover to my front and rear axle. To my surprise, I found
the differential looks like an open one, several of my friends checked at that time and they
agreed with me.
Because JK is my daily vehicle, so I had the put the ARB differential cover on, and because
I did not have camera at that time, no picture is taken.
I am planning to ask Chrysler to install this missing option on my JK, but I need to prove it
by a local Jeep dealer. QUestion is: is it possible to confirm a differential cover is OPEN
without taking off the cover.
the rear axle.
Recently, I added ARB differential cover to my front and rear axle. To my surprise, I found
the differential looks like an open one, several of my friends checked at that time and they
agreed with me.
Because JK is my daily vehicle, so I had the put the ARB differential cover on, and because
I did not have camera at that time, no picture is taken.
I am planning to ask Chrysler to install this missing option on my JK, but I need to prove it
by a local Jeep dealer. QUestion is: is it possible to confirm a differential cover is OPEN
without taking off the cover.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Lansing Michigan
could be a "lunchbox locker" are you the first owner? could also be a "detroit locker" if its a Lunchbox locker pull that garbage out right away.
this is a lunchbox locker. It replaces the spider gears. They are cheap and easy to install but they are also hell on the diff carrier. They can lock up unpredictably and can lead to sporty handling in the snow.
this is a Detroit locker. It works in a similar way but is WAY WAY better.
it could also be a worn out lsd or an open with something that is just ticking.
Last edited by bowerss2; Jun 15, 2011 at 09:04 AM.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
No locker. Original owner, and just put some 5.13s in about a month ago myself, and saw what others above mentioned, a carrier that looks open. But as some have said above, even though it may look open, it could still be a limited slip, so doing this test, and receiving a click noise makes me think it is.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,255
Likes: 1
From: clinton, ok
Best way to check is to put it into neutral and have both rear wheels off the ground. Spin one of the tires by hand and if the other goes in the same direction then it is limited or locked and if one goes the other direction then it is open, no guessing envolved.