2 things

[DavidL]

Do you really have to mess about with the cooling system to fit a new alternator to a turbo?
Is the fact that my wheel centres go round at different rates (yes they are attached firmly to the wheels) evidence that my LSD still works?
Took me ages to work out why 2 days after carefully lining up the centres to be the same way up they weren't any more! I never claimed to be very bright honest.

 

[Alexw]

the first question i can't help you with but im sure someone will be along shortly.

The 2nd one, do you mean, for instance, you had all the centre caps pointing down at the same time? They'l be pointing in different directions because you went round a corner When you do that the outer most wheels moves faster/further then the inner so they'l be out instantly, it doesn't show you have an LSD it shows you have a differential []

 

[DavidL]

Ok, so this is going to prove just how mechanically inept I am but I might learn something!
I thought the whole point of an LSD was to allow the wheels to go round at different rates or more specifically to allow different amounts of torque to each drive shaft?

 

[944 man]

After 40,000 miles Id be surprised if the diff still locked at 40%. After 140,000 miles Id be surprised if it managed more than a few percent...

Simon

 

[barks944]

ORIGINAL: DavidL

Ok, so this is going to prove just how mechanically inept I am but I might learn something!
I thought the whole point of an LSD was to allow the wheels to go round at different rates or more specifically to allow different amounts of torque to each drive shaft?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_(mechanical_device)

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_slip_diff

enjoy .

 

[DavidL]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

After 40,000 miles Id be surprised if the diff still locked at 40%. After 140,000 miles Id be surprised if it managed more than a few percent...

Simon

And 225K?

 

[944 man]

Itll probably benefit from a re-build by now... That said though; do you really need and LSD? Id suggest that if you drove the car in such a manner as to benefit from it, then youd be more familiar with its operation. Clutch-type limited slip differentials wear out relatively quickly, but this doesnt affect the everyday function of the car, so I wouldnt worry about it.

Simon.

 

[DavidL]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

Itll probably benefit from a re-build by now... That said though; do you really need and LSD? Id suggest that if you drove the car in such a manner as to benefit from it, then youd be more familiar with its operation. Clutch-type limited slip differentials wear out relatively quickly, but this doesnt affect the everyday function of the car, so I wouldnt worry about it.

Simon.

Sounds a fair reading of the situation!
It will be up there with fixing the AC - I've got a sunroof and windows what more do I need.

 

[944 man]

The air conditioning is hard to fix, but dont worry; because its about as effective as having an asthmatic kitten blowing past an open fridge door... []

Like the AC though; if you have the means and the opportunity, then itd be nice to make it good as new.

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: DavidL

Ok, so this is going to prove just how mechanically inept I am but I might learn something!
I thought the whole point of an LSD was to allow the wheels to go round at different rates or more specifically to allow different amounts of torque to each drive shaft?

An LSD works in exactly the same way as a normal diff. The only difference is that once the wheel RPM's differ by 40% or more then the internal friction plates lock the diff so the axle is effectively locked solid so both wheels go round at the same speed. So as you go round a bend the wheels will go round at the speed they want to, as with an open diff. and torque will be proportioned to the wheels according to their speed, as with an open diff. up until the point the diff locks locks.

You don't have to mess with the cooling system when replacing the alternator on a turbo. The water pump is drivn by the timing belt and not the auxhilary drive belt. It is a real PITA job as access is very limited as usual, but you wont have to drop the coolant.

 

[DavidL]

Thanks Scott.
I only asked as Clarks garage suggests you do need to drop the coolant but on the face of it I couldn't see why? My local indie seemed to suggest fitting an alternator was almost a while you wait thing so far from impossible for the intrepid Diyer!

 

[sawood12]

Be wary. It is a simple job, as with most cars, on everything bar a turbo with A/C. I started to do this job myself when my alternator voltage reg packed up. Access makes it a real pig to get to. Firstly I didn't spare enough time to do the job after totally underestimating it, then you need to remove your air-box and IC pipes to get access from above, then jack the car up, remove all the gubbins from underneath to get access to the underside. Then you've got a couple of bolts that are a real pain to get any type of spanner or socket onto. I ended up giving up halfway through, putting it all back together and taking it down to a local Indy whose face said it all when I turned up with a turbo saying I wanted the alternator replacing. It still took them a good 1.5 - 2.0 hrs. An easy job in theory, but the reality it is a PITA!! By all means do it yourself - it is not difficult, but allow a good couple of hours minimum.