Black Magic Diffs

jims-terrano · 08-02-2020, 03:21

Can anyone explain in very easy terms how diffs work and the differences in diffs and diff locks.
I get the principle that as you go around a corner one wheel is bound to turn at a different speed to the other and even then I’ve no idea how that works.
I know that if one wheel loses grip then it spins and the opposite wheel just doesn’t turn? How on earth is that supposed to be helpful?

I’ve always just accepted that they are black magic but just been watching a crazy russian YouTube channel and today they welded up the diff on a fwd drive lada and went for a drive around. It was hell to steer but it really improved driving in snow.

08-02-2020, 03:21	#1
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	Black Magic Diffs Can anyone explain in very easy terms how diffs work and the differences in diffs and diff locks. I get the principle that as you go around a corner one wheel is bound to turn at a different speed to the other and even then I’ve no idea how that works. I know that if one wheel loses grip then it spins and the opposite wheel just doesn’t turn? How on earth is that supposed to be helpful? I’ve always just accepted that they are black magic but just been watching a crazy russian YouTube channel and today they welded up the diff on a fwd drive lada and went for a drive around. It was hell to steer but it really improved driving in snow.