I am in the middle of changing oil in my rear differential. I just want to be positive my axle is limited slip. It is labeled as C1, but there is are no "L" in any of the descriptions. I am ready to fill,just want to be sure. Thanks for taking care of all the newby questions.

 

C1 is LS. That's what I have. Are the tags on the rear-end in bad shape where it can't be read? Either way it won't hurt a non-LS axle by putting in the friction modifier. No clutches to help slip! Just don't put in too much. If you do, you have converted your Limited Slip to Limited GRIP! AKA an open diff...

 

Does yours have the clutch pack in it like this:

 

Thats what I have, I will go fill it up. Thanks for the quick response.

 

Another good check for LS is to have both wheels off the ground and turn one wheel. If the other wheel turns in the same direction you have LS. If the other wheel turns in the opposite direction you have an open differential.

 

Is an open differential bad or are they two types or systems?? Had to ask, just wondering...

 

They are to different types of differentials. An LS will drive both wheels. An open diff will only drive one wheel.

 

Gotya, Thanks Robin.

 

That's the simple explanation. In turns the LS, with proper amount of friction modifier, will release the outside wheel other wise it will try to drive it at the same speed as the inside wheel and that is what causes "chatter". The outside wheel needs to move faster because it is going a further distance. If the clutches don't release the outside wheel moves slower or in a sense it is locking and releasing, that's what causes the "chatter". That is the nice thing about LS verses most positive drive diffs.