If you have one in front of you, what are the visual and physical indicators that a transmission is LSD?

Manual of course.

 

The drivers side axle seal is bigger than a non VLSD.

 

The differential is open (makes no sense but trust me), nothing in the middle of it (eg. you can stick a pole through the diff where the axles go).

 

lift up both front wheels...
spin one wheel in one direction...if the other wheel spins easily/smoothly in the opposite direction then it's open diff.

 

True, but at this point in time most VLSD's have failed, and you can have a former locking VLSD transmission but it no longer does it's deed any more.

Also IIRC.

If your maxima is from the U.S. you do NOT have a VLSD.

Only Canadian maximas had VLSD.

As for I30s.... Different story...

 

So here's the rest of the story. I thought I bought an lsd transmission from a junkyard on Tuesday(30 day warranty). VIN on the tranny is JN1CA21D6WT529728. I ordered an axle from Rock Auto. EMPI part number 804598. If you go to nissanpartsasap.com and enter in the VIN above, you get that it's a 98 Maxima manual. Last night I get the axle and I go just to make sure the axle fits and it won't go in all the way.

I think there might be a pin the middle where the axles meet so I'm guessing it's not lsd. I can't remember and waiting for someone to send me a picture to verify. So now I have to go get my money back and look for another tranny.

 

Yea..it's not an LSD ..I had the same exact issue with a local junkyard.Tried to pass it off like it wasnt a regular open diff. O had to raise hell!

 

Yeah A LOT of yards have no idea wtf they have.

 

Just confirmed, pin through the middle.

Not LSD.

At least that explains it.

 

i checked into that a while ago and i thought i found that theres a tag on it somewhere that identifies it. the vlsd had an extra letter at the end or something but dont quote me, it was a manufacturer sticker next to the metal id tag. of coarse yours may be gone as mine was in terrible shape. hope this helps

 

It will say "LOCKER" on the side j/k

if you have another transmission to compare it to, the driver side axle hole is a lot bigger than the non locking diff. and the other easy way to tell that has already been stated is looking though one axle hole and being able to see out the other side. The vlsd driver side axles are harder to put in than a non vlsd axle, so I would not base everything off of the axle not going in right away. Check the other two obvious things first before you give up on it.

 

Yes it's like R5F50A (something like that) vs R5F50V the V means locking or A means open.

A small metal plate on the tranny identifies it, I may be able to grab a pic when I get home.

 

damn people are still asking this question?

 

I know, but it's good to have one recent clear and concise thread, lets just spoon feed em for now.

 

Im not to sure about this one, on my VLSD and my open diff the actual axle hole is pretty much the same and i can see right through both from one side to the other with no obstructions. Getting into that is getting a little bit too specific.

The best way to tell is on the driver side on a VLSD there are 2 sets of splines you have 1 set than a different set for the actual locking of the differential further inside the diff.

 

RS5F50V or A

 

A is non-vlsd and V is vlsd

 

Part of wat u wrote is wrong, the correct info is SOME u.s.a maximas had vlsd not all but some

 

i think he was just talking about 95-99s.

 

If I don't have limited slip on my 1999 infinite does that mean I don't have a locking diff? Wold that make it an A or B transmission.

 

Locking diff = LSD

If you don't have limited slip, you don't have locking diff.

Check the tag under the hood, at the passenger's side, there's a plate there, at the firewall, ot has the VIN number,

Look where it says transmission. If it ends in an A, it's LSD. If it ends in V, it's not.

Example:

 

You said the part in BOLD backwards....

 

Here

 

Sure the id plate is one way to check, however people can swap transmissions out and not put the correct back in. VLSD has to look like this