Locking or non-locking differential

Can someone tell me how I can tell if my '91 G20 has a locking or a non-locking diff.? Can I look at the transmission serial number & tell? I read somewhere that this was possible but I can't remember what to look for.

Failing that, if I jack the front end of the car up, what is the difference in the way that the wheels spin whaen I put it in drive?

Thanks for all of your help.

The FSM says to look for a working limited slip diff you should spin one wheel forward and the other will go forward as well. With an open or non-working limited slip diff the wheels will spin in opposite directions.

Read the first paragraph of this link to tell if you have a limited slip diff:
http://www.se-r.net/transaxle_clutch/auto_lsd_info.html;)

Thanks T4

Is LSD the same as a locking or non-locking?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm looking for a new tranny and every junkyard asks me if the one I need is a locking or non-locking.

Thanks,

Originally posted by 91g20
Is LSD the same as a locking or non-locking?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm looking for a new tranny and every junkyard asks me if the one I need is a locking or non-locking.


If you have a choice and the price differential (pun intended) isn't too prohibitive, by all means get the locking. You will need a different driver's side halfshaft however.

Originally posted by 91g20
Is LSD the same as a locking or non-locking?
Thanks,
Yes, I'm sure that they mean limited slip. Could you post the prices for both as I'm sure some others on the forum will be interested in the price difference.:)

The lowest price I could find for a non-locking (non LSD) diff. is $250 but that was for unknown mileage. For one with 23K on it the price was $350. The highest price was $1500.

For locking (LSD) diff. the lowest was $450 with unknown mileage. The highest price was also $1500.

This was for auto transmissions.


For manual transmissions:

Non-locking (non-LSD) from $250 with unknown miles to $1550 with unknown miles but a 1 year rebuild and $450 with 87K miles.

Locking (LSD) from $300 with unknown miles to $1150 with unknown miles and $550 with 59K miles.

Hope this helps...