RE: how does an open differential work

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

Hey Dave, I'll take you up on the $1000 ... ;-)

... just because the other wheel is not spinning does not mean that
there is no torque applied to it ... the amount of torque that is being
used to accelerate the spinning wheel simply isn't sufficient to cause
the other to turn.  Now, let's start adding a bit of resistance on that
freely spinning wheel ... let's say by applying the brake just slightly
(not enough to actually cause it to stop spinning).  Eventually you will
get to the point where enough torque is supplied to the "stationary"
wheel to get it to start turning.  

Do you know why very few if any quattros have torsens any more?  They
now use "EDL" which really is the same thing I described above ... use
the brakes on slipping wheels to allow more torque to the wheels that
have the grip ...

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)

> ----------
> nope, you're wrong sorry.  easy to test.  take your parents car (fwd
> or
> rwd), jackup one wheel and startup, put it into gear, and let out the
> clutch.
> 
> voila, no movement, and one nicely spinning wheel.  $1,000 on it, any
> day............
>