friction modifiers

[Nailzs]

hey guys
the tech library says to use ESP-M2C154-A in our axles, but my local napa store sent me up one that meets the specs of M2C118-A. are they equivilent or should i get the right stuff from ford?

 

[AllanD]

THE purpose of "Friction modifier" is to make things "slippery"
and the point of that is to prevent clutches in a limited-slip axle from "chattering"

Chattering is an indication that the limited slip clutches are doing their job.

INTENTIONALLY allowing them to slip partially defeats their purpose.

A limited slip that chatters when pulling into a parking spot at the local
fashion mall makes a noise that disturbs the soccer-mom driving the SUV
it's installed in, this leads to her driving to the dealer and giving the
breathless-concerned-female version of "What'sa that Noise?"
to the service writer at the local dealer.

To me it "chattering" tells me the phucker is actually working
something that is often in doubt....

So many times I've seen someone who complains of a "one legged burnout"
with a limited slip who wile I watched was actually spinning both rear wheels...
the one they knew was spinning was the one that actually had some traction,
and because of that it was making noise... the tire that didn't have traction
was spinning silently.... Ponder that for a moment....

Basically what I'm saying here is "Friction modifier?...... Why?

AD

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

shoot, I run a modifier in my axle that doesn't require it....my axle guy lives by that stuff. Keeps gears happy too.

 

[fastpakr]

And gear oil makes them unhappy?

 

[Fx4wannabe01]

And gear oil makes them unhappy?

gear oil + that slippery crap = makes them even happier. lol. the modifier is just like a 8 oz additive to add to fluid in the housing.

 

[Nailzs]

i understand what friction modifier does and i know what it is

my question was about the specs between the 2 numbers i gave, and whether or not they are equivalent

 

[AllanD]

and I was telling you the anwer is more or less irrelevant.

AD

 

[rangerstzz]

i understand what friction modifier does and i know what it is

my question was about the specs between the 2 numbers i gave, and whether or not they are equivalent

Don't know about the napa stuff but don't get talked into using GM spec friction modifier, [ it might as well of been welded ], the modifier is only $6 from the ford dealer here.

and I was telling you the anwer is more or less irrelevant.

AD

Hey AllanD, how drivable is it on the street? Does it still have some slip? I don't care much for the "welded" effects while on pavement.

 

[AllanD]

Unless you are cornering tightly like when parking in a mall parking lot you'll never hear a thing and it's something you can very quickly learn (and you will learn) to ignore it.

Making a left turn into a driveway with light throttle is when you notice it most
because if you are actually on the gas the tire will slip.

Limited slips are often accused of slipping too much, why intentionally
add to the ammount of slip?

NOT using modifier makes the unit a bit more positive...

AD

 

[4x4junkie]

My Ford service manual shows M2C118-A to be the correct specification for our trucks.

 

[wizkid00104]

THE purpose of "Friction modifier" is to make things "slippery"
and the point of that is to prevent clutches in a limited-slip axle from "chattering"

Chattering is an indication that the limited slip clutches are doing their job.

INTENTIONALLY allowing them to slip partially defeats their purpose.

A limited slip that chatters when pulling into a parking spot at the local
fashion mall makes a noise that disturbs the soccer-mom driving the SUV
it's installed in, this leads to her driving to the dealer and giving the
breathless-concerned-female version of "What'sa that Noise?"
to the service writer at the local dealer.

To me it "chattering" tells me the phucker is actually working
something that is often in doubt....

So many times I've seen someone who complains of a "one legged burnout"
with a limited slip who wile I watched was actually spinning both rear wheels...
the one they knew was spinning was the one that actually had some traction,
and because of that it was making noise... the tire that didn't have traction
was spinning silently.... Ponder that for a moment....

Basically what I'm saying here is "Friction modifier?...... Why?

AD

Your responses amuse me. Sarcastic humor tickles my fancy...

 

[exbass94]

My owner's manual says to use M2C118-A. However, I recently put in Valvoline synthetic 75w-90 without any modifier. Valvoline says it's unnecessary, and they're right. I have absoultely NO chatter or noises coming from the diff, even in the sharpest turns.

 

[wizkid00104]

So to some up this thread, the less lubrication you use in your LSD, the better the traction and the louder the differential is when turning. So..... if you don't use the friction modifier, should you expect a shorter life from your LSD?

 

[AllanD]

No, not that I've observed.

Infact I think they may grip longer.

I went from one "working" for 6-8 months at a time
(I used to re-shim my T-L twice a year)
to getting a year and a half out of it.

But I'm probably a bit more picky about having it grip.

Now I'm building another axle for my truck with a LockRight

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