I posted this in the general forum as well, but I am posting here because I know that some people don't visit both forums.

I am wondering if the VLSD tranny in the I30 is called Locking or non-locking? Intuitively I assumed it would be known as a locking diff, but I am being told that it is actually known as the NON-locking differential. If anyone can give me a definitive answer to this, I would really appreciate it. I don't want to end up buying the same transmission as I already own. I know its the tranny from the I30t that I need, but most of the car parts searches don't differentiate between I30 and I30t (touring model).

 

It is a non-locking differential. The V in VLSD stands for Viscous.

 

VLSD = Viscous Limited Slip Differential. It is a non-locking type. For information on VLSD, go to http://www.howstuffworks.com/differential7.htm

 

OK, that raises another question in my mind then. When I do a search for an I30 transmission on www.car-part.com it asks me if I want to search for a locking diff or non-locking diff. Your answer makes me think that since the VLSD is NON-locking, that the non VLSD tranny would therefor be the locking version. However isn't a locking diff like a Detroit Locker, which is a form of limited slip differential? Let me know if im way off base here.

 

Medicsonic pointed that website out to me a little bit ago. I read the entire article, and I got the impression that the VLSD is non-locking, but that leaves me wondering what the heck is the locking diff I mentioned above? Wouldn't the normal maxima tranny just be an open diff? I ask these questions here because the shop I called couldn't decide amongst themselves if the VLSD tranny was locking or non.

 

You can't have a locking diff. on a front wheel drive car. What do you suppose would happen if it was locked and you went around a corner? Both wheels would be trying to go the same speed...

 

Yes.

 

Good point MADMAX, I hadn't thought of that. So what do you suppose www.car-part.com means when they ask to specify locking or non-locking diff? They only do it for certain cars, like the I30, in which some had limited slip and some didn't. Do you think that they are just using the term "locking diff" too loosely, and really mean limited slip diff? That's what I'm thinking, but I'd like some other opinions.

 

YEESH!

1) No maxima or FWD automobiles feature "locking differentials"
2) The only non-open differentials offered in the Maxima was the viscous coupling limit slip differential like the one in the I30T, canada 4-gen+ maximas, 2002+ maxima?
3) So given the above and car-parts.com inability to get their terms correct, you can probably safely assume when they refer to a locking diff, they mean LSD.

Live long and prosper....IVI

 

I swear I responded to this post an hour ago but the Evil Internet Ogre must have eaten it.

I think Car-Part.Com is being imprecise in their language. They intend to ask whether you want a limited-slip or a plain-vanilla open differential. No stock 4Gen Maxima (or Infiniti) has a true locking differential.

 

Common sense also tells me if you find an I30 5-speed then it's automatically VLSD.....since 5-speeds were so rare for I30s and all had VLSDs in the first place.

 

I swear I responded to this post an hour ago but the Evil Internet Ogre must have eaten it.

A Limited Slip Differential reduces the amount of slippage but does not completely eliminate it. A Locking Differential (when engaged) reduces the slippage to zero.

A locker is suitable for the straight-line-only drag racer or the serious off-road enthusiast. A VLSD is a good choice for most street vehicles.

Go to http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/detroit/ to read about the Detroit Locker.

 

If all I30 5-speeds were touring models, and all had the VLSD, then my question is moot. Thanks to all who responded. I just wanted opinions on the terminology that was being used by various parts finding websites.

 

dibs on your stock tranny, if its not broken of course
-pete

 

Any differences in the open and LS trans w.r.t. installation, e.g. half shaft splines or anything that would cause problems when going from one to the other?

 

There's a sticky about this in All Motor.

 

Holy shat. Did anyone look at when the last post was made? 7 year bump ftmfl lol.

 

if u got to "locking" i need to have a "locking" cv joint on the driver side.. thats it

 

Yea, that's what happens when you're a "Noobie" here trying to get some info., only you can't initiate your own thread until you get to that magic post #15- so you have to find some ancient post to revive on the topic of interest. I also work on my NSX, Dodge diesel truck, Volvo, 'Cuda, Ducati bevel twin, 941 Cat Loader and an old Bayliner cruiser... so while I'm a newbie here, I've been working on my own stuff for 30+ years and have posted, unencumbered, on numerous forums, until this one! But hey, if I have to be creative to get the answers I need, I will!

That said, this is a great resource and there's a ton of good info. I've learned a lot here reading about these performance four doors, and I love driving my SE! Still, I maintain that the 15 post rule is a pretentious one, and pretty much BS.... IMHO.

Thank you for your replies to my question!

Walt

 

Sorry you think it's a pretentious BS rule, but it exists to eliminate **** spammers and other unsavory types.

Anyways, as has been stated, only the driver's side axle needs to be changed. Some people say that they had to change the passenger side too but I have no explanation for that, because I have built about a million of these transmissions and done multiple transmission swaps in my own car from open to VLSD and back again and I never had to do a thing with the passenger side axle. They ARE the same for open diff and VLSD.

BTW it's ironic this thread was bumped, given my experience with working on this transmission and building them in my sleep nowadays, and the fact that I'm a moderator now and can lock my own thread lol. Oh, how 7 years can change things.