Hand brake for Torsen limited slip

[Naddanme]

I was thinking of putting in a hand brake or two so I could engage the e-brake for the rear axle independently. Basically doing manually what a lot of vehicles do automatically. The torsen has a 2.1 TBR. (I think) seems like a pretty easy and cheap way to increase my traction off-roading. I know it still won’t be as good as a full locker. But I like the torsen for driving on the street in snow better.
Has anyone tried this?

 

[franklin2]

Dragging a brake to get traction to move forward seems counter productive doesn't it? I know it may help in certain situations but it's not going to be ideal for off-roading is it? It may help you make a turn like you would use independent brakes on a tractor.

 

[franklin2]

I see Dorman makes a handle. https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-924-5617-Parking-Brake-Handle/dp/B00Z7NNEGC/?tag=959media-20

 

[Roert42]

Dragging a brake to get traction to move forward seems counter productive doesn't it? I know it may help in certain situations but it's not going to be ideal for off-roading is it? It may help you make a turn like you would use independent brakes on a tractor.

The theory is that since with any limited slip you will get some power at both wheels unless one wheel looses traction completely then only that one will spin. my applying the parking brake you can add resistance to the wheel that was spinning freely and it will act more like they both have traction.


I've done it before in the snow and it does help. I normally just use the pedal e-brake though.

 

[Naddanme]

The theory is that since with any limited slip you will get some power at both wheels unless one wheel looses traction completely then only that one will spin. my applying the parking brake you can add resistance to the wheel that was spinning freely and it will act more like they both have traction.


I've done it before in the snow and it does help. I normally just use the pedal e-brake though.

I’ve done the same. But like Franklin said it’s counter productive to brake when trying to get moving. The torsen TBR is 2.1 so if I could only brake the wheel not getting traction it would send twice as much power to the wheel with traction, without fighting the brake on the wheel with traction. Not sure if that make sense lol. I think a lot of electric traction control on suvs use this method now. Just curious if anyone has tried it.

 

[Roert42]

The servo controlled ebrakes on the newer cars probably make it real easy too.

 

[Naddanme]

I thought about putting a line lock on each brake line. Then I could just press and hold a button to lock up that side. But it would cost me about $100.00 in parts instead of $20 and I would actually have less control.

 

[sgtsandman]

I don’t think anyone on here has or they haven’t mentioned it if they did. I suppose you could wait a bit to see if anyone chimes in but I think you have your answer.

I can see the thinking behind the plan. How well it would work in practice would be interesting.

 

[Naddanme]

I think I’ll try it on the passenger side first. Just see if I can rig up a quick test. Probably be a while before I get to it. I’ll try to post up some info once I have.