Maybe a stupid question but here goes...

One day last year I had the front of my car jacked up trying to diagnose an axle prob. Ran the car up to 30mph on the speedo and noticed that only the driver side wheel was really spinning, but the other wheel was moving at a fraction of the speed and seemed to get only 10 percent or so of the power. What would be the difference if I had limited slip differential? I know why LSD improves cornering. But it seems like without it, I really only have one wheel driving the car at all times.

 

Limited slip equals power distribution to both wheels, and helps reduce torque steer (hence the cornering improvement).

In reality, without it, both wheels get decent power distribution, however when there is no traction to the wheels (like when you had them both up) all the power will go to one of the wheels.

In real life situation, the wheel with less traction to the ground will receive the power.

But considering the advancements in later years, it doesn't really hinder the car at all. Surely you won't be happy going through mud but it's adequate for what most everyone will throw at it daily.

 

You might as well just park the car and forget about it if it doesnt have LSD.

 

 

ASU student????

 

Yeah, graduated last December.

 

LSD does alot more than just improving cornering. Read up:
www.howstuffworks.com