I'm thinking about installing a limited slip in my 2WD 3.0 liter 8.8 4/10 Edge. I would imagine that I will have reduced mileage. Does anyone out there know what differences I can expect?
Also, I do not intend to buy an old junkyard axle or even a new differential. It just seems like overkill. I'm hoping to crack open my own differential and simply install a new OEM limited slip assembly. Does anyone know of a reliable source for the parts?
@Lefty : Just to be clear here - the limited slip carrier and side gears are different from the non-limited slip ones. So, you will need limited slip carrier, matching side gears, limited slip clutches and "Z" spring. I usually get everything but the clutches from another axle (i.e wreckers) as they're not really wear items; clutches come from Rockauto or similar.
Procedure:
Undo the cover and drain oil, remove cross pin (5/16" extra long box end wrench - its locktite in), remove c-clips, pull axles. Then undo the carrier caps (make sure you keep drivers on drivers side, passengers on its side) and remove.
Transfer your ring gear to the limited slip carrier (ring & pinion are a matched set, a little heat is often handy here - propane torch not hotter), install the carrier, setting it up correctly. 90% of time, the shims used at factory are what you need, but there is the other 10%....
If you decide on new bearings for your limited slip carrier, you need a bearing puller and press. (and it just about guarantees shims are off...)
Then you install clutch pack (having soaked them in friction modifier) and limited slip side gears.
Slip axles in, install c clips, spider gears and cross pin.
Compress the "Z" spring and insert it into carrier to set the preload on the clutch packs. I think there is colourful language required here when spring slips out of clamp before it is quite in, and goes into low orbit)
Button it up with the rear cover and add oil and friction modifier.
Optional: axle end bearing and seals, rear brake hardware (pads, cylinders, etc anything that needs doing while you are there).