Quote:
Originally Posted by Frecklychimp
None of the 'top drivers' set ups will be with a geared diff
It's the way the diff handles power and delivers it to wheels that will cause loose feeling as it balances out with weight differences on each wheel when exiting a corner.
Remember a diff is a traction device, road cars have planetary diffs, race cars use L.S.D's
A ball diff will 'slip' the power to each wheel in an almost unlimited ratio, it also doesn't matter as much if a wheel goes light where a gear diff is limited by the number of teeth and of course any resistance from oil/grease.
If a wheel lifts or goes light with a gear diff then power goes to that wheel... power will always find the easiest way out of a gear drivetrain, so as you are coming out of a corner the inside wheel is usually light, so wheel is likely to spin up faster then as you straighten and weight settles the diff is unbalanced and suddenly sends power across to outside wheel... which is why you get a 'shimmy' and the feeling of loose drive.
I've done a lot of testing with gear diff and oil settings, indoors on carpet it can be really good and driveable, accelerates quicker and brakes stronger so can outbrake others and stay on power longer.... outdoors on bumps and less predictable grip levels it is very hard work for the reasons you have found.
On a 2WD offroad car the gear diff is a poor compromise, which is why RTR beginners/basher kits have them and Competition cars don't
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Brilliant explanation, I never understood the difference or indeed what they did before. Nice one.