Limited slip problem driving me nuts

[Motorboy8769]

I have herd Alot of opinions but my 08 as a locking rear axle and only spins one tire not that I try to do burn outs all over but I hate having to use 4x4 on a truck to get up a wet grassy slope. I would have bought a Toyota if that's what I wanted. My 04 would light up both tires on road or off road. And never used 4x4unless I was stuck. I guess I'm asking why did the 04 not do it and the 08 does?what can I buy to fix it?aftermarket? Please give me more suggestions thanks.


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[ATVJOE]

I have read a lot of things regarding these limited slip rear ends. Mine reacts the same way as why have limited slip then. I was told that the clutches that lock up in the rear end are weak and that its common on these trucks. Don't know of a fix except for installing a locker.

[GregsSD]

Like said above, the stock limited slip clutches wear out fast. My 05 limited slip only worked correctly for the first year or 2, after that it was no better than an open diff.

You can have the stock one rebuilt and save a little money, but if you want something that will last then go with an aftermarket one like a Detriot Trutrac!!!

[713Diesel]

My stock limited slip is strange. I will get power to both rear wheels on a wet road but not in the grass for some reason........ Not sure why/how it is differentiating the two....... I have not done anything to fix it since the construction site I have been on for the past three years has had really good roads. When I move on to the next I might have to look into the trutrac's as everyone I know with them absolutely loves them.

[mazsecond]

I have found that on my old 06 and my current 05 that a simple fluid change could make a heck of a difference. From what I've read Ford tends to add a but too much friction modifier from the factory to keep chatter from the clutches to a minimum but a consequence of that is that the LS doesn't work very well. On my 06 I couldn't get the LS to work at all. Changed the fluid and added just a little friction modifier (all motorcraft) and it would work great, but you do have to play with the brake pedal to get both wheels spinning sometimes. On my 05 the LS would work alright sometimes, changed the fluid added just a little friction modifier and its working great. Before you go crazy rebuilding clutches and ordering aftermarket stuff I would just change the fluid and see what happens.

I think why the LS works better on wet pavement is because the tires need some resistance to get the LS to kick in. The pavement still has some resistance to the LS kicks in much better than on grass or in sand or mud. That is why you need to play with the brakes some to add resistance to the wheels to get the LS to kick in. Now if you want to avoid all of this BS just get yourself a Detroit TruTrac and you'll be good to go, but thats pretty $$$$.

[ruizhernandeztrust]

???
I didn't know about this issue. I'll check mine.

[Rubenk]

I bought my truck with 157k, and the LS worked for just a few times before it quit locking up.

Had the truck at BTS for a few things and they changed the rear-end fluid, and said due to the mileage they wouldnt put any friction modifier in. Brian said if it chatters or skips around corners to just add a very small amount till it stopped. It rarely skipped around corners so i've never added any, and my LS works just like i'd expect it to.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

if its really that much of a concern i would opt to go with a detroit tru trac.... its pricey but it will eliminate this problem

[SD350]

How do you know if you have a limited slip rear axle? Have an 08 FX4, would it be standard? I didnt buy the truck new and dont have the build sheet.

Also how much would be a "little bit", seems like that's a very broad term. Thanks!

[makaveli200369]

I know ford sells friction modifier addictives for gear oil so the clutches grab.