Notice: We request that you don't just set up a new account at this time if you are a previous user.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
Recovery:If you cannot access your old email address and don't remember your password, please click here to log a change of email address so you can do a password reset.

Who has welded there rear diff?

Tech Talk for Suzuki owners.

Moderators: lay80n, sierrajim

Post Reply
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:40 pm
Location: QLD

Who has welded there rear diff?

Post by boydsierra »

hey guys

just thinking bout welding the diff cus i dont have the money for a locker

how did it drive on the road?

cheers boyd
Posts: 428
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2005 10:07 pm
Location: Newcastle NSW

Post by mnemonix »

In a short wheel base sierra, an absolute dog to drive on road.
Pigrooting around corners any any low speed. A pain in the ass in carparks and petrol stations. Definately not recommended.

In a long wheel base maruti, (my daily driver) marginally better on road.
If the tyre pressure is high enough (over 32psi with my 31's) It is tame enough to put up with.

Both cars can be dangerous in the wet or on slippery roads, especially if you're not paying attention.

For what it's worth, I NEVER recommend that someone weld their rear. Despite owning several cars with welded diffs, a proper lockrite or similar is always a better option for a car that will see frequent road use.
Save your pennies or stick to open centres. They're your only realistic options.
Last edited by mnemonix on Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Posts: 7345
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:29 pm
Location: Melbourne

Post by Gwagensteve »

did you do a search?

This has been covered lots and lots.

The narrower/more agressive the tyre and the longer the wheelbase, the less you notice.

Basically the car understeers into corners and oversteers out.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
Posts: 572
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:17 pm
Location: Mooroolbark Vic

Post by Jaffa »

My opinion:

Daily driver = NO

Weekend toy = If you don't have the option of air lockers, or cant afford lock rites etc, then maybe.

I have a welded rear in my LWB and had it in my old SWB too, I havn't had any issues, the car does drive very differently though and you really do have to learn how to drive the car all over again (on and off road)

My advice is see if you can find someone with a welded rear with a similar vehicle setup to your own and ask them to take you for a drive, then make up your own mind.
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:40 pm
Location: QLD

Post by boydsierra »

oh ok

nah its not my daily

thanks for the help

cheers
Posts: 264
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:05 pm
Location: SE Melbourne

Post by Pezooki »

Hi all,

I have a mini-spool (same result as welded - just a bit stronger) in the rear of my 91SWB Sierra. I run 31's on 15x8's. YES it sometimes 'pigroots' around corners at low speeds (when on bitumen/concrete), BUT I find it overall very acceptable on the road. Anything over around 35Kmh and you almost wouldn't know that its there at all. Mine is not a daily driver, however I do a fair amount of clicks on the road - and I wouldn't have mine any other way (apart from having an air-locker of course)! It is nowhere near being a "dog".

In the bush it is simply awesome, all the time.

Also, I am glad that I have a mini-spool in the rear over a lockright (which I have (and like) in my front diff). The slightly unpredictable nature of a lockright in a rear diff can be interesting in comparison to a spooled or welded diff, where you always know what to expect.

As Jaffa said though, it would be a good idea to go for a drive in a Sierra with a locked rear so you can see for yourself.

Just my 2c!

Cheers,

Pez
91 Sierra soft-top. My Members thread: http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=169128
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:40 pm
Location: QLD

Post by boydsierra »

thanks heaps mate

think i will weld it. i will also be running 15x8's an 31's

i wont be doing heaps of road k's just wont it to drive half deecnt when i do

cheers boyd
Posts: 7345
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:29 pm
Location: Melbourne

Post by Gwagensteve »

I will add that I do have the money for airlockers and I do run an airlocked, CrMo axled front end, but the rear is and will continue to be welded. (actually, mini spooled via a trail tough mini spool)

My car is LWB and not daily driven, but I can see no advantage in the $$ for an airlocker in my application.

If I was a DD shorty and I only had the money for one end, yes, it would be airlocked rear and open front.

I acutally prefer the car on road with the spool, even on a wet road. I find it easier to get around corners. Takes less lock and comes out of the corner more easily.

You do have to be more attentive though - it will drift.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
Posts: 264
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:05 pm
Location: SE Melbourne

Post by Pezooki »

Gwagensteve wrote: I acutally prefer the car on road with the spool, even on a wet road. I find it easier to get around corners. Takes less lock and comes out of the corner more easily.

You do have to be more attentive though - it will drift.

Steve.
X2!


Pez
91 Sierra soft-top. My Members thread: http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=169128
Posts: 995
Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 2:55 pm
Location: Tamworth

Post by Turbo Tonka »

i have had 2 swb with welded diffs now,both on 31s at's and mt's at different times.with the all terrains it was loud,hoppy and not road friendly.now with my muddies and on higher pressure its pretty good(well was before i broke it :cry: ).should i finally go spool??

Mine isnt really a DD but if it had to i dont think its that big of a problem,there are things about my car i hate more than the rear end and besides without the locker i wouldnt be able to drift a full loop of all the roundabouts :lol: :lol:
sierra truggy,37 sticky treps,propane,6.5s and disconnect,lux diffs with spools,16" fox shox,hydro steer.
Posts: 1791
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:02 pm
Location: Kurrajong Heights, NSW

Post by BlueSuzy »

weld it, by the sounds of it, i drive my suzy daily more then you on 12.5 33's...

*it is illegal*

*handling is changed, new drift driving style is needed in wet*

Chews tyres. meh. my tyres dont chirp unless on concrete. but not much hopping, which is a good thing. All depends on make type of tyre. My stockers chirped..
I am Tim
Posts: 3513
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 12:52 am
Location: Perth, WA

Post by alien »

DONT DO IT!!!

wait till you can afford an auto-unlocker or even better and air locker.

i had a welded diff, and while yeah, i got used to it - it wasnt ideal by any means, and i only welded it cos i broke it and didnt want to buy a new standard centre - instead i saved up for my current airlocker.

if it was an offroad only rig then id say go for it, but the loss of onroad functionality really will get to you, and if it doesnt, when you eventually get a real locker you'll wonder why you didnt do it sooner.
The worst thing about censorship is ███████.
Posts: 3940
Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:09 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast Qld

Post by want33s »

As Steve said, skinny very aggressive tyres hardly feel a spool/welded centre.
My lwb rear is (mini)spooled and while it understeers into, oversteers mid and understeers out of corners it is predictable, cheap and VERY reliable.
As long as the car isn't a DD, has chunky tyres and is LWB I'd say go for it.
Save $300 over a lockright and $900-1000 over an air locker.
$$$ you save could buy tyres or cage or front locker instead.

Jas.
Posts: 264
Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:05 pm
Location: SE Melbourne

Post by Pezooki »

Hi all.

One point I forgot to make in my previous post is that my 31's are aggressive muddies - this definitely helps on the road - the more "normal" (or A/T) your tires are, the worse it will be on the road with a welded/spooled rear.

Weld away! :cool:

Pez
91 Sierra soft-top. My Members thread: http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=169128
Posts: 2169
Joined: Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:41 pm
Location: melbourne

Post by joeblow »

alien wrote:DONT DO IT!!!

wait till you can afford an auto-unlocker or even better and air locker.

i had a welded diff, and while yeah, i got used to it - it wasnt ideal by any means, and i only welded it cos i broke it and didnt want to buy a new standard centre - instead i saved up for my current airlocker.

if it was an offroad only rig then id say go for it, but the loss of onroad functionality really will get to you, and if it doesnt, when you eventually get a real locker you'll wonder why you didnt do it sooner.
X2.....and tyres scrub quicker, axles splines chop out quicker.............
lwb 1.6efi,4sp auto,f&r airlockers,dual t/cases.custom coils.builder of ROAD LEGAL custom suzukis...and other stuff.
CAD modelling-TECH drawings-DXF preparation.
http://www.auszookers.com/index.php
Posts: 1791
Joined: Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:02 pm
Location: Kurrajong Heights, NSW

Post by BlueSuzy »

And you get up them hills quicker!!
I am Tim
Posts: 7345
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:29 pm
Location: Melbourne

Post by Gwagensteve »

joeblow wrote:
X2.....and tyres scrub quicker, axles splines chop out quicker.............
Who cares if it's not a daily?

I don't - I'll tear out tyres offroad long before I'll buff them down on the highway, and I'll break an axle long before I've worn the splines down.

horses for courses.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:40 pm
Location: QLD

Post by boydsierra »

yeah i will weld it sounds good.

should have it done by next week

thanks heaps guys
Posts: 125
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:06 pm
Location: Tamworth

Post by rustyzook »

mines done i run 30" mt's its not to bad on road, i dont notice it to much, roundabouts are fun in the rain any way!
I like my women like i like my zook, cheap and top heavy!
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:40 pm
Location: QLD

Post by boydsierra »

ok well it should be ok on the road if you guys are right im going to get my simex extremes tonight in 31'

will weld it next week and tell yous how it goes

cheers
Posts: 125
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:06 pm
Location: Tamworth

Post by rustyzook »

make sure u pack bolts in, the first time i didnt mine, i just wleded the gears and it broke after about a month, pack stuff in and weld everything it works, also take a few days asy driving on road to get used of it cause its fun :D
I like my women like i like my zook, cheap and top heavy!
Posts: 51
Joined: Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:30 am
Location: bellingen(coffsharbour)

Post by sally_o »

welded the diff on my vit on wensday and it is amazing of road...and no where near as bad as i thought it would be on road... mine is a daily driver(by that i mean about 2 min to work) and i am lucky that i live where there is bush all around , the most i would have to drive to get to my fav tracks is about 15 min so i can certainly put up with the on road handling.
i am not at all sorry i did it but just a little worried about rego next time thats all :?
Posts: 904
Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:10 pm
Location: Perth

Post by mrRocky »

i put mine in more for onroad drifts than offroad performance
Posts: 835
Joined: Fri May 05, 2006 4:56 pm
Location: Sydney

Post by brendan_h »

mrRocky wrote:i put mine in more for onroad drifts than offroad performance
yer thats always fun to do in the wet.
having said that i have found with my lockright thats i get more tration around the corners and i can take them faster usualy depending if it understeers. but too much thortle and she will drift
91 SWB Sierra. 16v 1.6efi, extractors, 6.1gears, SPOA, 32 BF muddys and 2inch bodylift
Posts: 125
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:06 pm
Location: Tamworth

Post by rustyzook »

brendan_h wrote:
mrRocky wrote:i put mine in more for onroad drifts than offroad performance
yer thats always fun to do in the wet.
having said that i have found with my lockright thats i get more tration around the corners and i can take them faster usualy depending if it understeers. but too much thortle and she will drift
click click BANG?
I like my women like i like my zook, cheap and top heavy!
Posts: 835
Joined: Fri May 05, 2006 4:56 pm
Location: Sydney

Post by brendan_h »

rustyzook wrote:
brendan_h wrote:
mrRocky wrote:i put mine in more for onroad drifts than offroad performance
yer thats always fun to do in the wet.
having said that i have found with my lockright thats i get more tration around the corners and i can take them faster usualy depending if it understeers. but too much thortle and she will drift
click click BANG?
i cant realy hear any clicking only if i dont accelerate and have the clutch in
91 SWB Sierra. 16v 1.6efi, extractors, 6.1gears, SPOA, 32 BF muddys and 2inch bodylift
Posts: 125
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:06 pm
Location: Tamworth

Post by rustyzook »

sounds allright, i looked at autos from mine, but the locker is worth more than 10 1ltr diff put together so the CIG did the trick!
I like my women like i like my zook, cheap and top heavy!
Master of my own domain
Posts: 1516
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:01 pm
Location: Shellharbour, NSW

Post by mike_nofx »

Is a welded diff any better off-road than a lock-right, performance wise?

Mike
Posts: 7345
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2004 3:29 pm
Location: Melbourne

Post by Gwagensteve »

under power, they are 100% identical.

The lockright has a theoretical advantage in that under coast it should unlock, so if you are maneuvering at idle the lock right should give a normal turning circle etc, however, this can be bit unpredictable and depends on traction and terrain.

On sideangles etc the welded diff will tend to make the car slip down the hill a bit, whereas a lockright working well should help to stick on the hill better.

The real catch is how loose the lockright is. If it's tight and takes a bit of force to unlock, it's probably worse to drive offroad than welded due to the unpredictability.

Steve.
[quote="greg"] some say he is a man without happy dreams, or that he sees silver linings on clouds and wonders why they are not platinum... all we know, is he's called the stevie.[/quote]
Posts: 838
Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2004 10:00 pm

Post by Wesley »

mrRocky wrote:i put mine in more for onroad drifts than offroad performance
you mean you put one in for tighter donuts on the gravel :rofl: :armsup:
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=rkT7Q-s7A5o
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 32 guests