What’s Inside a Helical Limited Slip Differential?

In this video I disassemble a helical, or Torsen, limited slip differential out of a 2000 Acura Integra Type R. During disassembly, I show how this unique limited slip differential works and why it cannot be serviced.
The reason I shot this video in ‘cell phone’ format is because I was originally going to make it a KZbin short. Once I found out they had to be less than a minute I decided to post this as a regular video.
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Stay Dirty
ETCG

[@seymoarsalvage]

Eric! You're doing it wrong!!! (just thought I'd make it like old times lol. Missed ya dude!!)

[@NemoWrenches4evr]

I’m glad your videos are back. During my automotive training watching these instructive videos has made me the automotive tech I am today. Thank you.

[@petrmiskerik]

It is so awesome to wake morning up and find out Eric make new video for us....

[@AmiPurple]

Always great to see Eric the car guy on KZbin. Hope your keeping well and awesome

[@maingun07]

Heard of those helical differentials but never seen the inside of one. I've been told that with those that if you get into a free wheeling situation that you need to apply a little braking with the gas to give some resistance in order for the diff to lock up. My '74 C20 has an open diff and I'm undecided whether to replace it with a helical, a standard clutch based, or a manual locking diff. Didn't know that these helicals wear out. Now I'm leaning towards a manual. Thanks, Eric!

[@RavenElegance]

A very informative video, thanks. I have a helical LSD in my SSIII Celica and have always wondered how it worked. Seems crazy that it's all based on two flat metal surfaces creating the friction; amazing that they last as long as they do.

[@michaelblacktree]

I love these "how it works" style videos. 👍

[@MattSlocumSQL]

Love the birds chirping! Spring is in the air!

[@A92CB7]

Always wanted to know how those work, thanks

[@kazephotograph9202]

Eric, I just wanted you to know how much you’ve been helping everyone with all of your videos. Whether that be “how to” or just informative videos like this. You’re a great chunk of what makes the community a community. We appreciate it immensely!

[@yammietomogrady1322]

Glad too see you back Eric.. Take care.

[@gerardkavanagh144]

It's a pleasure to once again hear your voice and profit from your expertise. Thank You Sir.

[@Holsenback]

The best kind of dif.

[@Fabianblanc0]

The man that taught me everything I know now, miss watching your vids man

[@ez68eldo]

Finally, a LS differential video that did NOT confuse me. I've watched other videos about this subject in the past and I was trying to think, but nothing happened. Thanks, ETCG!

[@dennysmith5284]

The best of the bunch for us DYIers IMHO: Logging: Nor Cal Timber Faller with Dan Leeper Automotive: ChrisFix and Eric the Car Guy Small Engine and power equipment: DonyBoy73 with Donny and help Furnaces, water heaters, and most every appliance: Jay over at Word of Advice TV What makes these folks stand out from the rest? their knowledge, their communication skills, and they don't spend a lot of time self-promoting or doing goofy stuff to keep ya' watchin'. They patiently explain everything so nothing is missed. There are lottsa' good folks out there, and these really stand out.

[@MrGrentch]

Good to see you Eric. So that's what one looks like. I'd always wondered. 🙂

[@the_irish_captain7567]

The Eaton Trutrac helical gear differential is pretty awesome too. It’s construction is a little different than this but I assume it operates like this Integra Tyle R differential.

[@Silent-Lucidity]

Good to see ya, Eric! Cheers!

[@HoldandModify]

How many of us built the rear diff with Legos back in the 80s? :) LOVE THIS RETURN OF ETCG!!

[@shadowdog500]

That shop is perfect for making videos! Most of your viewers are probably working in a similar space.

[@perrywaaz3660]

Thanks, dude, I could not understand how one of those worked, and then right when you pulled the last piece out, it clicked! I am enlightened now

[@hamishmacbeth6135]

Nice to see your still out there man, hope your keeping well and looking forward to the day you make a comeback.

[@Portuguese-linguica]

Nice to see you again Eric.

[@isalmankhan1]

Thanks for sharing Eric👍 We really miss your content, hopefully things will resume to normal soon🤞 Stay Safe Bro👍

[@mm8436]

Very informative!

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you Eric I enjoy watching your videos watching from South Africa

[@MT-rc3gn]

Videomaking is probably inside your spinal column at this point Eric 😂 I always enjoy your videos but this video more than usual i must say!! Something about the exploratory nature and curiosity of it...

[@pinkladybikermamma3603]

HE'S BACK...YEA!

[@jesuschuerta6434]

Thank you for your time. ...

[@taskinyucekurt]

Good design, so nice to see a new video from you 👍

[@alanjames1018]

Eric! We love you....Jayson says hi!

[@photondebuger45]

Awwwww that's trippy I've never came across a lsd with gears to act as the limited slip

[@PeterHernandez-lg2eh]

You back, my bueno. God bless you and your family

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Thanks Eric ❤️

[@69slimer69]

Glad to see you're back in some form. Love it. Great video. "Stay Dirty!"😋

[@museinglis1979]

Watching this puts me in a meditative state…especially with the background soundscape🌲🕊️…this is like AMSR! 😅 …I’d be so afraid to take those little gears ⚙️ out from the casing…afraid to not know where everything fits once it were time to put Humpty 🥚 back together again! 😂 Your confidence is genius! 😊

[@aussiebloke609]

If the case wears out, I wonder if you could machine a little off the flange to being it back into spec? Or failing that, maybe shim the helical gears to take up the slack?

[@DavetheRaveDinkum]

I've only ever read about these, never had to service one yet. Cheers dude 👍

[@dreednlb]

1:35 never heard of one of these wearing out. It's gears. It would take a hell of a lot of miles to wear enough material off those gears to where the diff no longer functioned.

[@cgrscott]

Acura has some very advanced traction control systems built into some of their all-wheel-drive SUVs. But, a Helical Limited Slip Differential is a mechanically built-in solution that does not require computers. Thanks for this very interesting walk through.

[@acura4utoo]

Never sounded better!

[@WoodandMetalGarage]

i like how easy that is to work on. wish Ford built the 8.8 that way.

[@alward9901]

Hi Eric. A bit like the diff in semis we had a diff lock switch in the cab in case we got stuck . Would be nice to have it in cars .

[@wiimaster2847]

Just a suggestion, it might be cool if you post those short video clips you normally post on social media on KZbin Shorts as well.

[@Kenny3332]

Thank You Eric.🙏

[@Man-bx8wl]

You're pretty awesome Bro!

[@grassroot011]

Amazing engineering there. And interesting to see your explanation. Thanks

[@briandady9030]

Very informative, actually visualizing the pieces makes the process more real!

[@hickorystx]

Nicely done and well explained!!! Nice to see you back in action!! 😁

[@don.timeless4993]

Helical LSD is most precise & reliable LSD. it needs to be pre installed in every vehicle! specially the WaveTrac version

[@Roarman57]

That was neat!

[@TheDerrty111]

We need more videos ERIC!!

[@bugzie-a1769]

👍thank you fot sharing

[@mulhallsj]

That acts more like a mechanical locker than an LSD. It looks like once the gears are engaged with the case, there is no slip allowed and the axles are essentially "locked" together. I would be interested to see if there are any drivability issues that come from this after it's installed. Thanks for the video and great to see you posting again!

[@chrxx4327]

This is an OEM Honda helical limited slip differential. They put them in many of the Si and Type-R models. They work great.

[@MrGrentch]

Like Eric I have an Integra R with this diff and I daily mine and never noticed any drivability issues. In fact I would say the singular biggest difference between the standard car and the R version is this diff. The standard car is pretty good around corners, but has much of the usual FWD issues if you push it. With the diff added it's another world. Even at modest speeds and the more power you add the more it wants to turn. Push it further and it's almost feels RWD. The later DC5 Type R version(Japan only IIRC) has a more agressive LSD and tbh I didn't like it at all. I've driven a couple of FWD cars with third party LSDs and they were also more aggressive and noticeable in operation.

[@Patrick94GSR]

Many older Miatas also came stock with this same type of LSD unit.

[@sogonexd9130]

@@MrGrentchhello! I have a 98 spec type r swap in my eg hatch but I noticed from a dead stop in 1st gear it makes a click/clunk noise. Have you ever ran into this issue? Is it normal or time for a new lad?

[@MrGrentch]

@@sogonexd9130 Now I'm not a mechanic so take anything I say with a pinch of salt...But no, mine doesn't clunk or click when taking off. If it did, I'd try taking off in second and see if it still clunked. If it did I'd be first looking at engine/gearbox mounts, bushings in the front suspension, wear in the CV joints, that sorta thing. If they were all fine, then I'd look to the gearbox.

[@jessehurt9872]

Yyyeeeessss I'm finally the first comment on one of your videos! I've been watching you for almost 6 years now. I love your videos man!

[@stco2426]

Interesting. Not seen that before so many thanks for sharing!

[@flexyracer]

excellent video!

[@kivunikekephah5565]

Another good lesson 👌

[@merlethies8302]

awesome.

[@yambo59]

Brought to you by Keyhole video productions inc. ---

[@Patrick94GSR]

Very nice, looks like a relatively simple unit without a bunch of excess parts. My NB Miata also has a Torsen LSD out back, unlike my GSR’s open diff. Nice to see the simplicity.

[@wildracoon666]

Cool dog!

[@ryulee458]

Eric I always love how you break things down and show us how it works great job miss your videos dude.

[@dadtype2339]

Relaxing bird sounds, ✅ Automotive part in vice, ✅ Being Safe, ✅ Having fun, ✅ Gloves staying Dirty, ✅ Lol, thank you for taking the time to show this, had a fun time replacing a 12 year old Alternator in my Wife's Soul that finally gave up the ghost. This is the same Soul I finally did the trimming belt on. This Kia has about 290k miles on it, so this alternator held up. I just hate the way Kia made the belt tension on the 2011 models, don't know if other Souls do this, as this is the only on I've worked on, but not my first rodeo, but I really hate cars that use the alternator as a tensioner, instead of having a normal spring tensioner pulley you slap a socket on and easily pull back to remove the belt. Oh no, not spoiled, just partially disabled and it's hard on me to tinker on some stupid cantilever MacGyver set up lol, the square sits here in a track while two very hard to reach can't see bolts go through at just the right time you have less than a quarter turn, like an 8th of movement, any, not fun when you have a Nerve disease in both legs and no lift. But, with nearly 40 years of vehicle repair service under my belt, you bet I'm still checking the boxes. Thanks again EC, glad to see you and hear you Brother, be well and be safe!

[@f1y7rap]

Glad to see you post again, but whats with the vertical video?!?!

[@ericthecarguy]

It was originally going to be a short.

[@simonatkinson1107]

It’s actually a simple bit a ‘science’ and all those moving parts made it look really complicated. It works something like this. Those diagonally cut gear when spinning naturally want to push themselves out of alignment so positioning the diagonals as a V forces the gears to stay lined up. Lose grip in a wheel and one side of the V isn’t doing it’s job. This is where that diagonal slip comes into play letting those smaller gears slide which helps creates the ‘limited slip’ effect.

[@chrismoller8166]

Cool!

[@Aleks_Mechanics]

Notification Squad!🔥🔥🔥

[@wolfpac550]

I use Wavetrac LSD best replacement and stronger.

[@WezleyB]

I just put a torsen style LSD in a 2-wheel drive Toyota Tacoma... its almost unstoppable,Combined with the electronic traction control that applies the brakes to the faster spinning wheel.... 👍

[@MMORPG87]

any chance of a vid on properly rebuilding a honda trans. ive taken mine aprt enough to scuff up the surface of the gears that the syncros fir over to get them to bite like new again. but ima need to completly pull one down fully. not sure of there are special things to take not of or do. i cant wrap my head around the shimming of diff or input shaft

[@2003AcuraTL]

Good to see you again Eric! Its been a few years but will you still put the supercharger in the Honda Pilot?

[@baratono]

Neat!

[@zx8401ztv]

Smashing demo Eric :-D A very complex and simple design lol. Years ago i watched a 1940's film about the differential on you tube. It was really basic and narrated by Jam Handy. I imagine you may have watched it for a laugh :-D Eric, wear a mask as the new strain of covid spreads faster. Stay well.

[@Patrick94GSR]

Why would anyone wear a mask in their own home, especially with no one else around? That’s pointless and dumb.

[@waynegambrell7095]

Very good Eric, i enjoy all of your videos that you put out. Have learned alot from just watching your videos. Keep making more cause i am waiting on them.

[@scottkrieger4701]

I'm hoping you can answer this for me 1996 ford f150 pick standard cab 2 wheel drive ,stick,4.9 engine, turn key no start ,battery good . No click ,what under the dash has power go threw it after it leaves the lower end of steering colum ignition switch. Leaving there and threw the firewall, is there any kind of a box or anything. If so what's the color code and what's what for power please. It's an eddiebuear edition. Thank you glad your back sir.

[@billydevine8050]

Hi Eric, I just watched your video on torque converters on how they work. Awesome video. I was wondering, if some one has to big of a stall conveyer in your car can it over heat the fluid when idling. I have a 2013 6.2 Chevy zl1 that’s bored and Stroke to about 6.8. My fluid is getting hot when idle at long stop lights and then doesn’t want to shift but driving it normal around town works great. Just wondering if you mite have opinion on that. Oh and awesome videos. Thanks

[@FixingWithFriends]

I have never seen this style of LSD before. Viscous coupling, clutch with springs. This kind of seems like a torsen if the gears span parallel.

[@FixingWithFriends]

(but also, obviously a different design.)

[@coarsegrind]

Next up: a torsen lsd?

[@mark98070]

Looks similar to a Torsen torque sensing differential.

[@jay-uh3pk]

what do you think about the performance aspect of this LSD brand, im thinking about getting one for my car beacuse its stuck with one wheel peel

[@user-oi3dm9un2l]

I wonder if my '05 CR-V has that "torson" helical type diff? It does incredably well in mud. I jacked all 4 wheels off ground and spin wheels by hand,,, but both diffs act like open diffs and turns other side opposite direction. ?Does helical act like a clutch LSD or like an open with the way I'm testing?

[@maddan.]

Love your videos and they have helped me a lot over the years, but the workings of a helical/torsen style differential is not based on the friction between the side gears and the housing. They're very clever the way they work internally and through the gears, they provide a torque multiplication where the wheel with grip can get up to 4 or 5 times the torque of the wheel with less grip. This helps in hard cornering etc as well, as a greater amount of torque will go to the outside wheel, helping get you through the corner. However, if on wheel has no grip, then it holds no to torque, and unfortunately zero times 5 is still zero and your dill will open wheel.

[@nopenottalib4366]

Great video, SUPER informative. That said - PLEASE - turn your phone long-wise when recording ... human eyeballs go left to right, not up and down. 😉

[@ericthecarguy]

It was originally going to be a short.

[@mixedboi]

I first understood "what's inside a hellcat limited slip diff"

[@greggb1416]

Would this be the differential that we would find in a 1996-2004 Acura 3.5RL..? Great video, Thank you sir.

[@ericthecarguy]

No, that model RL never had a limited slip.

[@greggb1416]

@@ericthecarguy ok, thank you sir.

[@kennethbode2017]

built alot like a planetary axle drive on heavy equipment

[@ismaelR_C172]

Quick question When a cars AC compressor comes on at the beginning and the headlights dim a little at the beginning does that mean the battery is going bad?

[@JSchrumm]

I need glasses , I thought the banner said Hellcat.

[@Exit_343]

Hey bro! Where you been!!??

[@ianchesney9639]

I had no idea FWD had a diff i just assumed the Axel plugged directly in the tranny to deliver equal rotations and didn't require a rear differential like RWD.

[@rubenske091]

👍👍

[@nighthawkj30A4]

I wonder how many cars still use this kind of Unique differential.

[@DominicLeung87]

do you happen to have a source for the PDF you cited around the 1:26 mark ?

[@saccaed]

That is a helical differential but not a torsen differential. Torsen diffs operate differently. For easy reference the helical gears of a torsen diff are perpendicular to the rotating axis.

[@21Piloteer]

I have that type of LSD I have in my van. Detroit TrueTrac

[@samhicks97]

Essentially this is an open diff with the capacity to work as a limited slip diff if the situation allows for it?

[@troymilleraz]

👍

[@Assgasyoda]

I want that to go in my front differential so bad