Common questions

How does a viscous coupling differential work?

How does a viscous coupling differential work?

Viscous coupling is filled with silicone and is not computer controlled. A series of plates with holes and slots turn in the silicone fluid. The silicone fluid resists the shear generated in it by the plates with differentiating speed, causing a torque transfer from the faster spinning axle to the slower spinning axle.

Is viscous coupling good?

This transfers more torque to the slower moving wheels — the wheels that are not slipping. When a car is turning, the difference in speed between the wheels is not as large as when one wheel is slipping. The faster the plates are spinning relative to each other, the more torque the viscous coupling transfers.

What does a viscous coupling?

A viscous coupling is a mechanical device which transfers torque and rotation by the medium of a viscous fluid.

How is power transferred in a viscous coupling?

In this case, in normal conditions, all power is transferred to just one axle. One part of the viscous coupling is connected to the driving axle, another part is connected to the driven axle. When driving wheels slip, viscous coupling locks and torque is transferred to the other axle.

What are the disadvantages of viscous coupling?

When driving wheels slip, viscous coupling locks and torque is transferred to the other axle. This is an automatic all wheel drive system. The disadvantage of a viscous coupling is that it engages too slowly and allows for excessive wheelspin before transferring torque to another wheels.

How to test the viscous coupling on a VW?

VW’s original (German) repair manual doesn’t say much about how to test the viscous coupling. They only recommend placing the rear wheels in a break testing stand. If you then switch to the G-gear (creeping gear), the front wheels should move the van out of the test stand as soon as the engine is revving slightly above idle.

How does a viscous coupling on a VCR work?

Inside the coupling there is a silicon liguid/goo that turns nearly into a solid when exposed to shear force caused when the VC input and output shafts rotate at different speeds. The input shaft is connected to the rear wheels.

What is the purpose of a viscous coupling test?

The test will determine if the viscous coupling is faulty from a totally locked up failure, or if the viscous coupling fluid has leaked out from being severely humped. Important\The Viscous Coupling Test is very sensitive to the temperature of the transfer case. If the transfer case is very hot, the time to turn will be faster.

In this case, in normal conditions, all power is transferred to just one axle. One part of the viscous coupling is connected to the driving axle, another part is connected to the driven axle. When driving wheels slip, viscous coupling locks and torque is transferred to the other axle.

Inside the coupling there is a silicon liguid/goo that turns nearly into a solid when exposed to shear force caused when the VC input and output shafts rotate at different speeds. The input shaft is connected to the rear wheels.

Where is the viscous coupling on a Ford Explorer?

Here’s a quick ditty about the viscous coupling: Ford first introduced the viscous coupling in the 1997 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer AWD vehicles. The viscous coupling is a completely sealed torque distribution device located inside the transfer case and is connected to the front and rear output shafts.

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Ruth Doyle