tire mismatch - damage to posi?
tire mismatch - damage to posi? couldn't find my answer through a search. I have slightly different tire sizes on left and right on the rear (same tire size but right one is new and the left has 20k on it). My car is a 99 TA with torsen posi, will this size mismatch damage the posi?
Joe
Joe
If the tires are a different height it will damage the posi. The difference in height will make the diff think you are always turning and wear it out. If it were a clutch or cone style posi the damage would be worse and faster.
I believe as long as you are not spinning a tire the
Torsen couldn't care less, it won't be engaging but
differentiates freely below a 2:1 torque split. When
spinning, tire height is the least of its worries.
What hurts a Torsen is, when it's sitting there having
to split high torque between (say) a 100lb-ft friction
and a 300lb-ft friction wheel. That's some grinding
power thrown through a little chunk of spinning gear-
ball. This is where the shavings come from, I think.
Torsen couldn't care less, it won't be engaging but
differentiates freely below a 2:1 torque split. When
spinning, tire height is the least of its worries.
What hurts a Torsen is, when it's sitting there having
to split high torque between (say) a 100lb-ft friction
and a 300lb-ft friction wheel. That's some grinding
power thrown through a little chunk of spinning gear-
ball. This is where the shavings come from, I think.
Thanks guys for the input. I'm in agreement with Jimmyblue that torsens don't respond to differences in speed, but differences in torques. Any other input, I'd hate to trash the rear just cause I didn't swap tires in pairs.
