Rear LSD Diff Question

[Kewltalon]

I was wondering how to check the viscous coupler in a LSD rear diff. Reason I ask is, I got high centered in the snow (grader didn't clear the our driveway, just left a nice snow bank to go through) and when we tried to push the car out, I noticed only one wheel was spinning on the rear diff. Does the car have to be moving forward before the VC kicks in and locks the both back wheels?
I think the VC in the rear diff is toast. Correct me if I am wrong though.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rob10_99]

Most manuals state torque ratings when one wheel is spinning, what the other one should have going to it.
Usually measured with the diff sitting on a bench. Its a viscous which is not a locker.
If you can spin one wheel with the car in the air, its probly toast.

 

[Defiant]

Are you sure you have a rear LSD?

 

[TunaTalon]

If the OP has ABS he does not have LSD. They were not offered together in 1990 or 1991. Without ABS the LSD was an option not standard.

 

[TunaTalon]

BWeird indeed, I just noticed that gbradley listed as the OP is from Mississippi. Not too much snow there. But Kewltalon is from Alberta, he should know about snow.

FOk so my post 4 makes no sense at all for a 1992 AWD. Post number 2 has it right; the LSD is not a locker.

DI will report this mix up in site problems.

 

[kris_stewart10]

well i live in south mississippi and well it snows down here maybe once a year or so

but yes your number 2 post is right

 

[Kewltalon]

Great thanks for the info. I'll take the diff out and check it. Given that it was a timing belt accident and was in pieces when I bought it, I have no way of knowing if it was towed properly or not. It sat for a year before I bought it. I am putting on a 20g hybrid soon so might as well freshen the diff up.
Thanks again guys for all the info.

 

[gbradley]

I only replied to the original post and I'm not sure how I became the original poster????

 

[Kewltalon]

Something funky went down, all well, it is all good now.
To follow up. I found this in the factory service manual for a 91 TEL(my 92 service manual is incomplete) so I assume it applies to a 92 lsd diff. Hope this helps others. I got a job tomorrow and it is gonna be a high of -21C, yehaa!

LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL CHECK
(1) Block the front wheels and move the shift lever to neutral.
(2) Completely release the parking brake.
(3) Jack up the rear wheels and place a rigid rack at the
specified part of the side sill.
(4) Disconnect the coupling of the differential and propeller
shaft.
(5) When one wheel is slowly rotated, check whether or not
the wheel on the other side turns in the same direction.
(6) If it turns in the opposite direction, replace the viscous unit.