Hello. I am a new member with very little knowledge! Be gentle with me.
I have looked in the FAQ section but could not find the answer to the following.
I bought my Mx5 MK 2.5 two months ago and absolutely love it. Its a Nevada spec 2003 model which I was told by the seller has a LSD type diff. I have heard that some cars were fitted with a Torsen LSD and others with a normal plated style LSD, does anyone know how I can tell which one is fitted to my car, Is there a difference to look at, or a number stamped on it? Also I read that the “normal” type diff can wear out after 60,000 miles and revert to being an “open diff”… Is this true? and can it be fixed if that happens?
Is the Torsen diff a readily available “upgrade”? does it actually make any difference? or is the normal lsd diff just as good?
I found this after a longish search!! So this list says the Nevada 1.8 was fitted with an LSD but doesn’t say which type. I am now even more confused. Should I contact Mazda directly with my VIN?
Two easy ways, jack the rear of the car up and rotate a wheel. If the opposite wheel rotates the other way it’s a slippy diff.
Or, get on some loose surface, and on full lock apply a little bit of power. If you can hear the inside wheel fighting for grip, you have a slippy diff.
From looking at Mk2’s a couple of years ago I’d got it in my head it was just the 1.8i Sport models which had LSD along with 6 speed box and Bilsteins, or wasn’t it that straight forward? Nevada was based on standard models (5 speed) I think.
I tried the turning round on full lock in reverse and forwards trick and it just feels like a normal diff. But when I do a burn out, (Naughty I know) It leaves two black lines. (Quite long ones), Tee Hee!!
I suspect it to be a normal slippy diff. The car is in the workshop today getting its shiny fitted, I will go down and give the wheels a twizzle!!
Thank you for that, I am pleased it has an LSD. The later type diff, Mmmm You must forgive my ignorance but I have no idea what that means. I folloed the link you posted but did not see any info regarding later or early type diffs. Am I being thick? Probably!! lol
So while the car was in the workshop and up on a ramp I got them to have a wee look at the diff. Its a viscous type LSD according to them!! When they turn the wheel the other one turns the same way. Forwards or backwards. Would that tie in with the “Cone diff” as above?
Here is a picture of the real reason why the car was at the workshop… Shiny Shiny!!
The LSD unit fitted to your car is the very troublesome type, best not to try 11`s or dohnuts with that one, try changing the oil and see what is stuck to the magnetic drain plug…
Oh dear!! Really? Surly it cant be that bad can it?
I had the diff oil changed along with all the other usual stuff when I first bought the car.
I thought it best to have a full service done as the car had been sitting for two years, I had to replace the rear disks and pads, both rear springs were broken at the top!! Strangely in exactly the same place, All the other suspension stuff was checked, drop links, bushes, etc. The workshop didn’t report any nastys in either the engine, gearbox, or diff oil. I was told it was “good to go”.
You have got me a bit worried now!! Do I need to get this diff changed out for a stronger one? I am an enthusiastic driver, and this car was bought for summer runs round the west coast of Scotland, which have many twisty bendy bits, and hairpins!!
