How to adjust the Diff

[Drayken D]

When adjusting the diff in a T3,(adjusting the little screw) what exactly are you shooting for? How do you tell when it is just right? I just followed the instructions, and no problems, but wonder if I adjusted it a little, if I would get better performance. Advice?

[nsane]

Basically, if you follow the instructions you will be right on the money for most people. The diff really doesn't become an adjustment tool until you become a VERY good driver. If you followed the instructions you will be in good shape.

You are basically looking for smooth action while turning the wheels.

[racerman333]

tighten it until it is quite hard to tighten and feels fully compressed, then back the screw off 1/8 to 1/4 of a turn. Remember to check it after a couple of runs becuase they usually loosen after youve just rebuilt them.
If you loosened it more it would just **** . Ive accidentally done it before and what happens is you lose acceleration and top speed. i think it is becuase when you do not tighten it far enough, there is not enough pressure being applied to the diff balls by the outdrives and rings so they cant grab hold of the diff rings as easily. Ive heard some people sand there diff rings to get better performance, but ive never tried it.

[Drayken D]

Would the speed and acceleration that is lost be small? I mean, is it all or nothing? Could I have it tuned and getting slightly poor speed, and not know it till I try to adjust?

[william2001]

The main thing about diffs is to NEVER let it slip, it's never the same once it does. You want a very smooth diff action without any slipping for the best performance typically. You want to stay pretty close to what the kit instructions tell you to do, those guys know what they're doing. Exactly how tight should it be and how do you tell? Well, on my Losi truck I can hold one wheel and the spur, spin the other wheel and it stops after about 1 revolution. This seems about right. I run a brand new diff tighter than that because they will loosen up after the first few runs. Running a diff too tight hurts the cornering traction at the rear, mainly coming out of a corner, right where you want to pour on the power.

[combones]

Fully compress the spring, then back off 1/8" only. You will hear it(the diff) bark or chirp a little during hard acceleration if the diff is loose and the traction is good. A loose diff will cost you quite a bit out of the hole.

[Obi112]

William: How can you hold one wheel and the spur, while spinning the other wheel?

[william2001]

Sorry, my bad. I should have said hold one wheel, and spin the other manually. (Kind of hard to spin one side when you've got a hold of the spur and the other wheel, huh) :rolleyes: That technique is useful when you want to find out where it does slip, in this case you would lock the slipper down, hold the spur and the right tire, and attempt to turn the left, it should be VERY difficult to turn, if not, the diff isn't tight enough. Clear as mud?

[nsane]

Depends on how you like the car setup, and how you drive, I run a pretty loose diff most of the time. Just crank it down and back it off a little and run it :) Make sure you check it so it doesn't loosen up and life goes on.