Torsen Front Diff

[Machine]

The torsen isn't the reason why you truck feels like crap taking a corner in 4H. It's because in 4H your front and rear axles are turning at the same speeds and travelling different distances. Using 4A allows slippage in the transfer case so you can go around corners without putting extra strain on your drivetrain.

Also, the Torsen doesn't lock up the front axle. It transfers the torque to the tire with more traction. Believe it or not the front wheels can still turn at different speeds with the Torsen doing it's work.

I very well may be wrong about this, but it's been my understanding that the Torsen isn't a limited slip... it doesn't transfer power to the tire with traction like a limited slip does, but it actually automatically locks up the front axle like a temporary, as-needed, locking front diff. This is demonstrated to some degree in the video posted by @Brad99superd.

What I'd like to see is the same video done where one tire has traction and the other does not. This would really show the difference.

 

[CAMDENN]

……So many people truly overthinking this.

 

[pittman]

I very well may be wrong about this, but it's been my understanding that the Torsen isn't a limited slip... it doesn't transfer power to the tire with traction like a limited slip does, but it actually automatically locks up the front axle like a temporary, as-needed, locking front diff. This is demonstrated to some degree in the video posted by @Brad99superd.

What I'd like to see is the same video done where one tire has traction and the other does not. This would really show the difference.

The torsen can't fully lock up - it distributes torque based on traction. This is the same reason it doesn't work well for rock crawling while it works very well for trails, snow etc.

Essentially when you're in 4A or 4H and a front tire starts slipping the Torsen gears turn and it tightens against itself and transfers torque to the other tire. It's not on/off like a locker. It's a great design for a front axle.

 

[BillfLang]

Does the Suby have 4H? I am guessing no, but I would expect tight turns in 4H to be difficult as the wheels are locked and I would expect that turns are much easier (probably the same as 2H) when you are in 4A. I don't think the Torsen has anything to do with difficult tight turns, but I'm sure some much more knowledgeable folks here could tell me I'm wrong.

I don’t have a problem at all with mine!! I’m off road all the time here in Florida muddy and wet !!

 

[Brad99superd]

I saw a vid of a SD tremor with the Torson, he was putting it on two wheels on purpose (rear left/front right off ground) and not locking his rear axle. He demonstrated that the front would not pull the truck through the washout, but if he ever slightly hit the brakes, it did then transfer torque to the wheel with the traction and pull the truck out of the washout. It was interesting, definitely cool to see it work like that.

 

[pittman]

I saw a vid of a SD tremor with the Torson, he was putting it on two wheels on purpose (rear left/front right off ground) and not locking his rear axle. He demonstrated that the front would not pull the truck through the washout, but if he ever slightly hit the brakes, it did then transfer torque to the wheel with the traction and pull the truck out of the washout. It was interesting, definitely cool to see it work like that.

Yeah! Classic trick to engage the Torsen if one wheel doesn't have enough traction. This is why a torsen works so well with the traction control built into the truck.

 

[Brad99superd]

Yeah! Classic trick to engage the Torsen if one wheel doesn't have enough traction. This is why a torsen works so well with the traction control built into the truck.

Ahh yes!! Never thought of that!! The traction control probably totally does help it out!! Great point!!