Understeer in snow

[Dave Eaton]

actually, when you lock the centre diff, you allow torque to be distributed
between 0-100% through the diff.  this is a commonly mis-understood feature
of a locked diff.  only when the diff is *unlocked* is torque distribution
fixed to 50:50.  the torsen will be locked while operating within the bias
ratio 30:70% torque, and will behave like a locked centre diff while in this
range.  outside of this range, it will unlock and allow *speed* variation of
the output shafts, while maintaining the torque distribution of the bias
ratio.  torsens can be setup for different bias ratios, and to suit
different cars/applications.

one thing to remember is that all the audi chassis behave differently (as
you'd expect), and what will work with one chassis, might not with another.
you need to adopt the driving behaviour appropriate to the chassis, and the
conditions.  the best audi chassis that i've driven is the ur-q, with
torsen, nothing else really compares imo.

hth,
dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q

-----Original Message-----
From: "Dan Dwyer" <dandwyer at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Understeer in snow
Date: Fri, 14 Dec 2001 07:57:03 -0800

Hello,

To clarify, the handling characteristics that I'm complaining about are when
driving aggressively in ice and/or snow.  I wish to duplicate the ability to
induce oversteer into corners and come out smiling, similar to what I've
experienced in all the audi's I've been in thus far (4000s and 5000s). In
fact, I have taken that handling for granted and was taken aback by the way
my new (for me) car was handling in the snow.

In regards to alignment, my car has a little more camber in the front end
than a stock aligned car, but I figured it was benificial for reducing
understeer in most conditions.  Is it the case that this would negatively
affect snow or ice driving?  The rear shocks are pretty worked so the rear
is softer than the front end.

Also, would the 78f/22r split in the center diff cause the front wheels to
peel out sooner relative to the rears than a 50/50 locked diff?  Cause it
seems as if I'm driving a front driver rather than AWD when cornering in ice
and snow.  Again, for some reason I want to blame the non-locking center
diff for all of my woes, although it may be eroneous.