Toson LSD question
 

I was recently involved in a rear end collision with my 1999 Miata.
The impact broke one of the brackets that holds the differential into
the car. Since the bracket is part of the one piece differential
housing, the shop is going to have to find a used complete rear axle
assembly to replace it. My car came with a Torson LSD and I want to
make sure that is what they put back in the car. My question is how
to identify the Torson form a standard diff. Are there any external
markings on the diff housing to show that it is a Torson? Also, did
1999 Miatas come with anything but a Torson and should I even be
worrying about it?

Brian Turner

"Brian Turner" > wrote in message
om...
> I was recently involved in a rear end collision with my 1999 Miata.
> The impact broke one of the brackets that holds the differential into
> the car. Since the bracket is part of the one piece differential
> housing, the shop is going to have to find a used complete rear axle
> assembly to replace it. My car came with a Torson LSD and I want to
> make sure that is what they put back in the car. My question is how
> to identify the Torson form a standard diff. Are there any external
> markings on the diff housing to show that it is a Torson? Also, did
> 1999 Miatas come with anything but a Torson and should I even be
> worrying about it?
>
> Brian Turner

The differential housing is of 2 pieces. The aluminum portion (your broken
part) is most likely interchangable with a similar part. The torsen is in
the iron portion.
Unless you know the VIN of the donor car, a torsen differential can be
determined only by visual inspection.

Chas Hurst

It is most likely that your Torsen was not damaged. It can be installed in
the replacement housing. If the entire differential is required, the
inspection cover can be removed. If you can see through the center it is an
open differential. LS package '99s all have Torsen rear-ends.


"Brian Turner" > wrote in message
om...
>I was recently involved in a rear end collision with my 1999 Miata.
> The impact broke one of the brackets that holds the differential into
> the car. Since the bracket is part of the one piece differential
> housing, the shop is going to have to find a used complete rear axle
> assembly to replace it. My car came with a Torson LSD and I want to
> make sure that is what they put back in the car. My question is how
> to identify the Torson form a standard diff. Are there any external
> markings on the diff housing to show that it is a Torson? Also, did
> 1999 Miatas come with anything but a Torson and should I even be
> worrying about it?
>
> Brian Turner

>
> The differential housing is of 2 pieces. The aluminum portion (your
> broken part) is most likely interchangable with a similar part. The
> torsen is in the iron portion. Unless you know the VIN of the donor
> car, a torsen differential can be determined only by visual inspection.
>
> Chas Hurst
>
>
>
With most LSDs, if both wheels are jacked up and free to turn, car in
gear (engine off), if you turn one wheel and the other spins in the same
direction you have a functioning LSD. If the wheels turn in opposite
directions, the differential is open.
Loren

"the invisible man" > wrote in message
...
> >
> > The differential housing is of 2 pieces. The aluminum portion (your
> > broken part) is most likely interchangable with a similar part. The
> > torsen is in the iron portion. Unless you know the VIN of the donor
> > car, a torsen differential can be determined only by visual inspection.
> >
> > Chas Hurst
> >
> >
> >
> With most LSDs, if both wheels are jacked up and free to turn, car in
> gear (engine off), if you turn one wheel and the other spins in the same
> direction you have a functioning LSD. If the wheels turn in opposite
> directions, the differential is open.
> Loren

I own a 10AE with a torsen diff, and what you claim is simply not the case.
A torsen functions as an open differential when it's unloaded, which is the
situation you have decribed.

Chas Hurst

That is exactly what they are going to do. No used differentials
could be found so they are going to put mine in a new housing. After
the body is repaired, the car will be towed to the local Mazda dealer
for the diff repair. I ended up with $5,500 worth of damage to the
car since they have to use all new parts to fix it. Again, not too
many used Miata body parts around.



"Larry Gadbois" > wrote in message ink.net>...
> It is most likely that your Torsen was not damaged. It can be installed in
> the replacement housing. If the entire differential is required, the
> inspection cover can be removed. If you can see through the center it is an
> open differential. LS package '99s all have Torsen rear-ends.
>
>
> "Brian Turner" > wrote in message
> om...
> >I was recently involved in a rear end collision with my 1999 Miata.
> > The impact broke one of the brackets that holds the differential into
> > the car. Since the bracket is part of the one piece differential
> > housing, the shop is going to have to find a used complete rear axle
> > assembly to replace it. My car came with a Torson LSD and I want to
> > make sure that is what they put back in the car. My question is how
> > to identify the Torson form a standard diff. Are there any external
> > markings on the diff housing to show that it is a Torson? Also, did
> > 1999 Miatas come with anything but a Torson and should I even be
> > worrying about it?
> >
> > Brian Turner