VLSD question.

[KAs14slider]

Hi guys, I have a s13 vlsd in my s14 and it just does such a poor job of locking most of the time. I can't even do a 180 from a dead stop or do donuts because it usually does a one wheel peel and locks only when it feels like it. I plan on getting a nice 1.5 or 2 way next summer but for now I can't afford one. Now, I just realized that the oil in it has never been changed. I heard somewhere that you should just put in the thickest stuff you can find and it will help those the crappy vlsd's lock better. So my question is what fluid should I put in the diff? Should it be synthetic? Also, if it matters, I live in PA and right now it is crappy winter weather. Is it better to run different weight fluid in summer and winter? And when you change the fluid, do you just wait for it to drain and then add new fluid until it starts dripping out of fill plug?

[fliprayzin240sx]

Find somebody who can shim the diff, shimming it helps it lock. Also just run the regular spec oil for it. No point of running a thicker oil. 75-90W iirc.

[racepar1]

I use NEO 75w90 RHD fluid. Honestly though that's just the way the vlsd's are.

[90 DGRZ]

from what i understand, there is the regular diff fluid, and actual fluid inside the vlsd that makes it lock .. which can never be changed. as that goes bad, the vlsd just starts acting like an open...so changing fluids won't make your lsd catch any better...or something like that...

but if u want to put in the THICKEST stuff, synthetic probably isn't your best bet.

[xpl2007]

from what i understand, there is the regular diff fluid, and actual fluid inside the vlsd that makes it lock .. which can never be changed. as that goes bad, the vlsd just starts acting like an open...so changing fluids won't make your lsd catch any better...or something like that...

but if u want to put in the THICKEST stuff, synthetic probably isn't your best bet.

Think so to. You have to service this. This what they call an overall in Japan.. I ran mine for 1 year and drifted 4-5 times at hours end. No matter what anyone says i can tell you first hand that i overhauled it once a month since i drifted a lot... Penzoil 80-90 gear oil 2 i think and the additive from Nissan forgot the name... Then do figure 8s to break it in. However you have to see if you got a good VLSD first becuase they do go out... Even though i never changed mine, but back in the day i was not drifting 3rd gear or 4th @ 100mph.. A 1.5 or 2 ways is night and day though.. I went from the old car with vlsd to a real silvia with a cusco 2 way lsd!! Night and day... Hope this helps i even did a write up a while back.....
good luck... I never ran a welded... Dont think its that good for high speed.... I personally never saw anyone put it down in it. I am not clowning it either...My opinion so far... I plan on buying Lukes welded to see...

[ChingSR20]

Your vlsd is probably worn out already!
mine went out so i replaced it with a welded till i have enough for a cusco 2 way. WHen i took it out i was able to spin the side shafts in opposite directions easily so i guess it was time for a change(pumkin was still filled).

[stinky_180]

i used redline 75w90... i think thats the weight. im not sure but check redline's website

[rhs13]

aside from the possibility that its just old and worn out, after youve done a little bit of driving and esp if you've been trying to do donuts or 180s, the diff heats up and the magical stuff inside loses viscosity, making the "limited slip" part less limited.

until you spend a thousand bucks on an aftermarket clutch type, youre just gonna have to deal with that characteristic of vlsd's. if you just want to do donuts and 180s go get that thing welded by someone who knows what theyre doin.

[racepar1]

Totally agreed^^^^
VLSD's suck for drifting. Wanna drift for cheap, WELD IT! I'm running a vlsd in my car, but I don't drift and for $100 I can't complain.

[KAs14slider]

Oh it's just fine for drifting, when u drift it actually locks sometimes. I have been drifting open diff for years before the vlsd and I got super good with an open so anything is good for me for drifting. It's just that when I want to say heat up my tires before drifting or just spin around quickly after a spin out, it gets really annoying with it only spinning one wheel. And I am still against welded because I like to grip my car too and I don't want it to become a crazy understeer or oversteer machine. So changing the oil then is useless? How do I test if my vlsd is fully shot, should I just jack up the car and just see if it spins both wheels when I spin one side?

[rhs13]

Originally Posted by KAs14slider

Oh it's just fine for drifting, when u drift it actually locks sometimes. I have been drifting open diff for years before the vlsd and I got super good with an open so anything is good for me for drifting. It's just that when I want to say heat up my tires before drifting or just spin around quickly after a spin out, it gets really annoying with it only spinning one wheel. And I am still against welded because I like to grip my car too and I don't want it to become a crazy understeer or oversteer machine. So changing the oil then is useless? How do I test if my vlsd is fully shot, should I just jack up the car and just see if it spins both wheels when I spin one side?

if u really have to know, then yes. jack up the car.

... and changing the oil is never going to be a bad idea.