What is a Quaife ATB® Differential and how does it work?

[@jbuelman2025]

I went from an open differential 370Z to the Quaife QDF10L. What a difference! There's a spot where I have to pull across a busy highway to go up to the gate at my unit and with the open differential, I would typically spin and then the car would pull power (traction control). I saw my life pass before my eyes on a couple of occasions. WIth the Quaife, both wheels turn and while it can still spin when giving abrupt throttle input, it's much more controllable. I've had the diff on my Zed (as the UK calls it) for several years and I love it! The car should have come with this differential and I believe the new 2023 and up Zed has something similar to this type of differential.

[@btrasbt]

Put one of these on a 350z. Fantastic differential.

[@001dman]

just got my mr2's new e153 going with the ATB unit in it, ~250 miles on it and I'm beyond satisfied. just as good cornering as the KAAZ LSD my old one had... BUT i can turn without my car sounding like its falling apart.. the quaife just works. and no friction modifier... after experiencing clutched LSD's in a trans axle... never again. quaife's the game plan for my other mr2s from here on out

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Love to hear the positive feedback and glad you are enjoying it!

[@ChrisC-bk6nd]

I have Quaife fitted to my car, how can i tell if the pre-loading was done correctly when it was installed? What would i notice if this wasn't done correctly? Also what does happen if one wheel has zero grip as people have mentioned above? Many thanks.

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Hello, If the ATB is in a FWD application, then preload is typically only used for the diff bearings etc, if it isn't set up properly then you will experience increased diff bearing wear/potential noise. If the ATB is installed into a RWD unit, then you will have pinion bearing preload as well which again, if not setup correctly will have increased bearing wear and will sound horrible. If you are talking about backlash, then you will hear a constant whining noise if the backlash isn't setup up correctly. The ATB (and any Torsen type differential) are torque multipliers, so if there is a wheel with zero grip (i.e. in the air) then that wheel will just spin.

[@aankhn]

1. What about the metal shavings that form when the worm pairs operate? 2. The axle shaft is connected to the satellite The satellite is connected to the worm The worms are connected to each other, but are not connected to the differential housing. They are simply in their seats. What causes blocking anyway?

[@handhwiegman8115]

Thanks for taking our questions. It is good to see that Quaife has both a full part manufacturing strategy and a quality system in place, making you able to supply to auto manufactures. I am looking forward to develop a Quaife ATB for my series of car.

[@hubnz]

Entirely unconvinced! You are balancing torque, not power. No explanation of its working principle, how is I'd different from a Torsden diff? ISO9001 is a quality system standard without any interference for the level of quality.

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Hello, Thank you for your comment. The Quaife ATB is based off the Torsen type principle, the difference however is how the internal gears are orientated (The Torsen internal pinion gears are perpendicular to the sungears, where as the Quaife ATB internal pinion gears are parallel to the sungears). Quality control is important for any industry, but for manufacturing it is even more so. An ISO 9001 certificate demonstrates that your organisation is customer-focused and committed to delivering consistent, quality products. This globally recognised Standard ensures best-practice processes are in place which help to increase efficiency and drive continual improvement. If you would like us to create a in-depth video regarding our quality processes, we would be more than happy to do so! Thank you.

[@superchickensoup]

Please make these for the fiat panda 169, I think you would be shocked how many enthusiasts would buy it

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

We potentially already have a product to suit, we list one for the Fiat 500/Ford KA which I believe use the same chassis as the Panda 169. Our part number is QDH3K.

[@NJFPV]

Is the engagement of the planetary gears instant? On say a drag strip - when applying abrupt power - is there a period where spin needs to take place on one wheel in order to shift energy to the quaife planetary gears? Or is that time so small (less than a 10th of a second for example) that it can rightfully be labeled as "instant"? I've been meaning to buy one, and am thinking this is the week i will do it - but after being at the drag strip last night and really learning my problems, this is an answer i need. Thank you

[@odonnellgray3805]

My I have an email address I want direct information about a product I am working on and need some parts

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Hello, please email [e-mail]

[@CS_247]

These are fantastic to drive compared to a traditional LSD, and in the snow they are a revelation. I disagree with the "no wearing parts" bit tho, I have had to replace 2 sun gears and side covers so far, they keep on galling. Quaife is happy to sell me the parts, but no offers on "lifetime guarantee". Yet. Still the best built ATB style diff on the market tho, just tear a competitors unit down next to a Qauife, and its immediately apparent.

[@doriangray2347]

Can someone convince me a reason or two to not buy a Wavetrac? I will be using this for a 2024 Mini JCW and driving in the snow and mountains and fast

[@Wigwhom86]

I hear the quaife doesn't lock under decel or when one 1 wheel is airborn. Other than that they seem the same

[@doriangray2347]

@@Wigwhom86 thank you. Since i asked this, I also learned that the strange carbon fiber pieces inside a Wavetrac stop something that can maybe age a Quaife ATB. Wavetrac claims that when the surrounding Pinions get torqued inside, their tops slide and polish the walls of the differential, reducing friction over time. If this is true, that is sad. If this really only changes hammering on a track, maybe inconsequential. What would be advantage of torque biasing, locking, while decelerating?

[@Wigwhom86]

@@doriangray2347 keeps power split when you're at the track and go over the curb on a corner. Other diffs divert all power to the wheel on the ground. I don't think there's any other benefit

[@AIRCOOLEDLIFE]

I looked into both.....I installed a Wavetrac in my Cooper S.

[@doriangray2347]

thank you! how is it?? @@AIRCOOLEDLIFE

[@Bradp72]

what benefits do the ATB offer over a plated LSD diff? or, why would i choose ATB over a plated LSD?

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Hello, Thank you for your comment. Please see here our comparison video of the two showing the benefits: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYezaKqGhcpqoqc

[@don.timeless4993]

is it good as the WaveTrac or better? because i see similarities in the design!

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

The Quaife ATB was bought to market decades before the Wavetrac, we cannot comment on the which is better as we have no experience with Wavetrac. We have seen little evidence of the Wavetrac working effectively in these zero grip situations (plenty of videos on KZbin). In our experience, you either need an ATB or a Plate Diff. Also, it is worth remembering that by adding friction (Wavetracs Carbon Plates), you are adding wear which cannot be avoided and they will need to be maintained more than the ATB.

[@PaulDobner-k3h]

I have a C63 AMG 507. 507 BHP. Would this set up be able to handle the torque of this car. I liked the video. I can see it being better than an LSD. But as i asked, could one be fitted in my high end car.

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Yes this will not be an issue. Due to the design of the ATB it is incredibly strong. The crownwheel and pinion will fail way before the ATB differential.

[@PaulDobner-k3h]

Thank you.

[@mariusiacob6983]

Hi for Dacia Duster 2019 you have?Thanks!

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Hello, yes. They are exclusively available from Mudster Romania, please see their website here: mudster.ro/en/

[@panaitlaurentiu5761]

Greetings from Romania! Do you have diffs for the ARO 24x series off-roaders? Looking to buy rear and front diffs as they come with open from factory and only few have manual rear locker diffs, you cannot lock the front diff and it s a huge drawback.

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Hello, please email our sales team on [e-mail]!

[@MsHappyeman]

in a VW T3 syncro would it make more sense in the front or in the back ?

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

You would notice the ATB more in the front due to the Haldex system prioritising the front wheels.

[@MsHappyeman]

@@RTQuaifeEngineering the t3 is a rear we drive with a viscous coupling i can engage or disocnent.. I already have a diff lock in the back, was thinking to swap it to the font and put an ATB in the back - or - leave the difflock in the back and add the ATB to the front.. till nott sure

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

@@MsHappyeman Apologies, in the T3's case, as the drive is predominantly rear wheel drive, the ATB would be best suited for the rear.

[@MsHappyeman]

Yeah, okay. I can move my diff locker to the front. Are you guys planning an ATB for the VW T3? Peloquin and GT make them. GT ones are very expensive (over 2000€) and Peloquin ones are nearly impossible to get. The market for VW T3 is really taking off and parts are needed. People who don't have the Syncro version also really like them in 2WDs to make them better all-round vehicles. Cheers from germany

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

@@MsHappyeman We are currently working with Charlie's Werkstatt GmbH in Germany for a batch of ATBs to suit the VW T3s! It would be worth speaking with them to get added to the list!

[@piedpiper1172]

I know you made a batch of these for the 1st Gen Veloster, and I’m ordering one from KDM Tuners. Do you have a means of offering insight and advice for potential projects? A number or something to call? The G4FJ-T is a watered down G463-T, so I figure I may as well turn my Veloster into a bad Evo, and I’m interesting in using a Quaife solution for center and rear dif in a custom AWD set up! I am hoping to go for a fully mechanical set up because, well, that makes dealing with my own ECU easier, but also for longer term right to repair concerns. And I bet your team knows more about the available cases, housings, and what could be made to work together without a moment’s research than I could learn in a year of reading technical manuals.

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

I would recommend speaking to Momentum Motorsport as they are our EVO specialist (and all of our Evo products are exclusive to them). The best email would be [e-mail]

[@piedpiper1172]

@@RTQuaifeEngineering thanks!

[@christopherbell7561]

I have 2 in 2 cars and never had a problem.

[@deltaserver6236]

Does the Quaife not have an internal Wavetrac-type "load generator" in the event of wheel lifting or zero grip, rain, snow or ice to prevent it from behaving like an open differential?

[@ChrisC-bk6nd]

Interested in hearing a reply to this.

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

No it doesn't, but the likelihood of the user ever experiencing zero grip is very slim. The ATB will work effectively in rain, snow and ice as long as the level of grip is the same on both wheels. We have seen little evidence of the Wavetrac working effectively in these zero grip situations (plenty of videos on KZbin). In our experience, you either need an ATB or a Plate Diff. Also, it is worth remembering that by adding friction (Wavetracs Carbon Plates), you are adding wear which cannot be avoided and they will need to be maintained more than the ATB.

[@HardemanMotorsport]

@@RTQuaifeEngineering Our experience is that the Wavetrac's will spin the inner wheel also, the situation just needs to be a bit more extreme (As in a bit more difference en tire resistance between left and right) Also wavetrac is quite a bit more expensive and it is a very specific setup that would justify that price difference.

[@VerryJerry90]

I want to add one to my Kia Forte GT but I haven’t heard of anyone who’s done it so I’m unsure if I should or not

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Hello, what gearbox does your vehicle have? If it is the 7 Speed DCT gearbox then we manufactured a batch of differentials for Cherry Tuning, their website is: cherrytuning.com.au/

[@mrsmith8436]

I just want to know what is a quaife?

[@vannevels6758]

Why would I choose this diff for the front diff in my 2008+ STI DCCD 6M vs the oem helical front diff it comes with?

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Hello, our ATBs have more internal gears than a typical Torsen diff so will be more effective at biasing the torque meaning better grip.

[@vannevels6758]

@@RTQuaifeEngineering so you offer a front and rear diff or is this 1 diff interchangeable, front and rear, for my '08 WRX STI 6M driveline?

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

@@vannevels6758 Please could you kindly email [e-mail] so we can send over the relevant documentation? Thank you!

[@marenghi123]

Life time warranty but had to pay 80 quid for the center part to be replaced in my diff ?

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Hello, I believe this was originally sent into us for a general service in 2018. You did not pay for the parts, they were supplied FOC. We only charged for the labour. If you would like to discuss your concerns further, then please email [e-mail]!

[@DeerShit01]

I used it on my Honda CR-X when I was younger. I chose Quaife (At the time, imports into Japan had only just begun.) because the clutch pack type makes a big fuss every time I have to do maintenance and I don't like the sound of the clutch pack working, and I couldn't go wrong with that choice. After all this time, I'd like to thank Quaife from the bottom of my heart.

[@RTQuaifeEngineering]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@laamor99]

@@RTQuaifeEngineering​​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠Would your Quaife LSD fit into a 2000 Jaguar S Type 4.0?