I'm not sure where the idea that a ball diff is limited slip comes from. It isn't. There is no mechanism to apportion torque across the axle based on differential speed of each wheel. In a geared diff with silicon oil, there is the viscosity mechanism to allow some control of differential wheel speed across the axle, without the final lock-up that a Torsen or Ferguson diff gives.
If you tighten a ball diff, all you are doing is increasing the amount of differential axle speed needed to make the diff work. Once working, it won't then change its action if the differential axle speed changes. In many cases, it will 'break' abruptly, and then re-engage abruptly, something the silicone filled geared diff doesn't do.
Overall, it would be a geared diff using silicone oil that more closely approaches the usual definition of limited slip, and not a ball diff. I can't contribute to the weight debate, or the rotational acceleration requirements of a modern buggy. If I tell you that the last competitive buggy I raced was the 1994 Losi XX, and it's still sitting on my shelf in the shed, you'll see why!! HTH
09-02-2010
Threaded Mode