spool vs limited slip

[thedeputy]

Is there a way to tell if there's a spool in a rear axle or a limited slip differential? A friend of mine bought a 1965 coronet 2dr sedan and the seller told him there's a posi inside the 8 3/4, but when he turnes around a sharp corner you can hear the tires grinding the pavement, so I suspect there's a spool inside.

Thanks Antoon

[72hemi]

Sounds like a spool to me. With the spool the 2 axles are locked and will spin at the same speed. So when you go around a corner one of them will be grinding.

[purple1]

Could be a spool in there. That or the old (and cheap) hot rod trick - welded spider gears.

The only way to be sure would be to open it up and see.

Dave

[Supercuda]

A poorly-adjusted clutch pack in a limited-slip will make all kinds of horrendous noises. A properly functioning locker will make noise in a corner, if it is under power. A spool makes turning a vehicle a nightmare, and nasty "scrubbing" wear is always evident after a few miles, if one looks at the tires. A quick test for the presence of a spool, is to mark the tires where they hit the ground, and drive around for a few minutes, making corners and spinning the tires a little (if possible). Park the vehicle so one tire is again sitting with its mark on the ground, and check the other tire- if the mark is in the exact same orientation as when it was marked, you have a spool. If it has moved in relation to the other tire, then you have another setup, and it might be a good idea to pull the cover off of the diff, and examine all internals. Many people forget to install the friction modifier that a limited-slip needs in order to function properly, and ruin a good diff by driving it that way.

[thedeputy]

I'll put some marks on the tires. That's the best idea I've heard so far. The noise I''ve been hearing is purely coming from the tires on the road.
Thanks

Antoon