STANDARD
DIFFERENTIAL
OPERATION
The standard, or “open” differential provides two functions:
1. Transmits engine power via the drive train to the wheels to move the vehicle; and
2. Allows differential action between the two wheels–permits them to rotate at different speeds
during cornering to eliminate drive train damage and tire scuffing.
The standard differential design always provides equal amounts of power to each wheel Thus, in normal
driving with no tire slippage, half (50%) of the incoming engine power is transmitted to each wheel, or
50-50. In a slippery traction situation, if one wheel spins with only 10% of the engine power applied to it
the other wheel also receives only 10% of the power, or 10-10. This means that the vehicle is trying to
move with only 20% of the total power applied to the ground such that it may not move. The vehicle is
stuck.
Your new Torq-Masters Aussie Locker overcomes the traction deficiencies of the open differential by
providing as much as 100% of the available power to either wheel (100-0) when the other one is on a
slick surface or even off the ground in a hole, yet it also allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds
during a turn This means that if one wheel is on solid ground with excellent traction and one wheel is on
ice and would slip with 10% of the power applied, that the one on solid ground would receive 90% of the
power and the other one would receive 10% (90-10) The 90%-power wheel will move the vehicle just
fine, so you wouldn’t even know that you’d have been stuck.
For you techie types, the reason that this unequal division of power can occur is that the axle shafts act
like torsion bars. Power is applied to both axles; when the 10% wheel (low traction) begins to slip, the
axle shaft for the 90% wheel (good traction) wraps up a little more as engine power is applied. The 10%
wheel slips a little more and the 90% axle wraps up a little more until enough power is finally applied to
move the vehicle It may move before all 90% is applied, but these illustrations show the theoretical
maximums that may come into play. As your vehicle climbs up a hill, this torsion bar effect transfers
power back and forth instantaneously from side to side as one wheel, then the other one, slips a little and
then regains traction. Your new Aussie Locker thus effortlessly and automatically gives you the most
power to the wheel with the most traction, and you just keep right on going. Onward!
PRE-INSTALLATION INFORMATION
The Torq-Masters Aussie Locker is designed to fit into a standard or “open” differential case Limited-slip
or Posi-Traction differentials use clutch packs, such that these differential cases are not compatible with
the Aussie Locker. If you have a limited-slip differential you will need to purchase an equivalent open
differential case, pinion shaft and side gear thrust washers and have the case installed prior to the
installation of the locker Setup of the case includes setting the differential bearing pre-load and the ring-
and-pinion backlash, which generally must be done by a shop having the right knowledge and tools.
As with most factory differentials, the Aussie Locker is designed to be installed with a factory thrust
washer under each axle gear. It is imperative that your thrust washers are not worn, warped, cracked or
scored and that they be of the original thickness. If your washers are worn or damaged, purchase new
ones. They are cheap and are good insurance If you do not install thrust washers of the proper thickness
and in good condition, the contact patterns will show the difference which will void the warranty.
2 Allows if ere t al actio bet ee th wo w eel –perm ts hem o r tate at iffe
d ring ornerin to e iminate drive train amage an re uff n
r v ng with no t re slippage ha f (50%) of he n om n en n ower i t ans itted to each wheel or
50 50. n a lippery trac ion itua i n f n heel sp ns with onl 10% f he engine power
pl ed t it
the ot er wheel als e eives only
% of the po er o 10 0 h s mea s hat the vehicle is tryin to
move wit nly 20% f he o al p w r ap ie to th ound s h t at it may n mo e The eh le is
stuck
rov ding s much as 1 0% of he av lab e p we to e her w eel (100-0 w e he ot er o e s on a
s ick surf ce or ev n ff the r
n in a hol , yet i a
a l
s the whe s ro a e differe t spee s
d ri
a turn Th s means that if one wh el s n sol d ground w
e cellent tr tio n o e wh el is on
ice and wo ld s p ith 10% of t e p wer a p e t a the n on ol d gr
nd w
l receive 90% of he
power nd th ot er
e w
ld receive 0% 90 0 Th 90%- owe wheel will m ve the ehic e st
fine s you w
ldn’ even know tha y u d h ve been stu k
l ke tor on bar Power i appl ed o b th axles when he 10% w ee ow t ac i n) be ins to sl p he
axl shaft f r the 90% wh el (goo t a tion wraps up a l t e more as n ne ower i applied he 0%
whe l sl ps a littl more and he 90% a e w aps p a it e m re unt l enough powe i fina ly
li d o
m e t e e cle It m m e before al 90% s p lied b hese i l tra ions how the heore i al
maxim m t at may ome into p a A ur v h c e im s u a hil his t rs o bar effe t transfers
power ba k
d orth
tan ane
sly ro sid to side as ne wh e t
he other ne s ps li tle and
then egains tr t o Your new Aus e cker thus e fort essl and aut ma i a l g v s yo he most
p w r to the wheel w h th mo t tra t on and you ust keep ri ht o oing Onw rd!
r Pos Traction d ferent als se c utch a ks s
ha these di fe nt al ases are not compatible w h
the Au s e Lo er If y
h ve imit d- ip differ
tia yo
l eed t pur hase an eq iva ent pen
d ff rent a ca e i on aft n s e ear thru t ashers an hav t e ase ins a led prior to the
installation of the o ker Set
of t e ca e in
es s tting the d ff renti l be ring re-load n t e r
-
and-pin o ba lash wh ch generally mus be done by a s op ha ing the righ n wle
e an o l
wa her u der ea h a e ear It s
e at ve t at you t rus was er are not wo n w rped ra ed or
scored and t a th y be of t e or g al h kness I yo r wa hers are wor o da aged p
ha e n w
o es They are heap and re good s ra ce If
do n t nstall hru t washe s of the proper th ck ess
and oo cond t on the o tact atterns w l ho he d ffere e
i h w l o d he w rra y
