WHY ARE CONVENTIONAL DIFFERENTIALS INADEQUATE?
Most vehicles are equipped with “open” differentials that have not traction enhancement capabilities. Although these differentials provide the required wheel “differentiation” for turning, they actually deliver all engine power to the slipping wheel in poor traction conditions. This design characteristic makes open-differentials inadequate in many driving situations. Both on-road and off, vehicles frequently need more traction than open-differentials provide, to prevent slipping, sliding, or getting stuck. Numerous designs, such as limited-slip/posi differentials, attempt to overcome open-differential shortcomings with varying degrees of success.
