differential windup and damage

[Huw Powell]

> The theory is this, and proven on Semi trucks and other large trucks such a  
> Dumps, Haulers, etc.,  different diameter tires, such as one worn and one  new 
> tire of the same size, cause the axles to rotate at different speeds.   This 
> puts undo pressure on both sides of the diff.  This will  eventually cause the 
> diff to fail.  Not urban legend.  The same will  happen in a car.

How long would you need to drive in a circle (or oval...) to do any harm?

> The report on the trucks was in a maintanence magazine for fleet  companies.  
> Our Utility followed the advice, and the diff failure rate went  down 52%.  
> Savings in the first year of replacing pairs, or in some cases,  quad tires, 
> was close to 1M.  The rear tires not worn out enough were  simply used on the 
> fronts as replacements.

There must be documentation of this somewhere.  That's usually the 
difference between urban legend/rural folklore/"street knowledge" and 
facts.  I realize it might not be on the www, but surely there is 
something authoritative.  $1M a year savings usually come with some 
paperwork, I'd imagine.

So far, all that I can assert is still that "I heard it somewhere".

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/