limited slip differential

[JJD]

During an assesment of my car we found information on the differntial saying it to be a slip differential.
On the buyers bill of the car from 1970 (yes I have the original purchase agreement) it says: limited slip differential as an ordered option.
However if I crank up my 280SL and turn the wheel on one side the othr wheel turns in the opposit direction. I thought this would not happen if you have a limited slip differential. Who knows more about this?

[waltklatt]

JJD,
Limited slip means that the wheel spin is limited by friction plates inside the diffrential housing.
You can identify your limited slip by looking for a tag on the rear axle housing (tag should say "Sperr-Differential")
When you lift up the car and turn one wheel, naturally the other one will turn in opposite direction.  However if you put the transmission in neutral and then the friction of the limited slip will overcome the resistance of turning the driveshaft.
Thew limited slip is most helpful in the wet or icy conditions when you need traction to both wheels.
Same as the American cars with "posi-traction' axles.
Walter
1967 220SL-diesel-non-limited diffrential

[graphic66]

Be careful, as the drawback to wet and icy is sideways. You car will tend to fishtail while accelerating in slippery conditions. That is why it really isn't as popular as one would think. You wont get stuck as easily in mud or snow. If these cars could spin the tires on dry pavement when taking off it would give you a quicker hole shot. But with our power to weight ratio it probably doesn't matter much. I am not speaking from direct experience with the W113, just experience of owning several cars and trucks with limited slip differentials.  A w113, I would think with that option is more desirable I would think though.

[66andBlue]

In case someone is interested I know of a 280SL for sale in Knoxville, TN with a limited slip differential.

[Benz Dr.]

I've only seen two 113 cars with LSD. One was a 280SL that I worked on a few years ago. I've seen other as well but not in my shop. The 300SE I'm working on came standard with this type of axel as well as 6.3 cars. In 113's they might be more rare the the 5 speed trans.

The LSD has clutch plates but unlike some axels they work on a principal of how much either tire starts to spin relative to the oposite side. The more the differental gears turn the more pressure is applied to the clutches. There are about 5 or 6 of them seperated by steel discs.

The 280 that was here had a special sport package and it worked very well. The forward bite coming out of a corner really launched the car and you could feel it working. The thing is, it's totaly seamless - it only works as hard as you push it. On ice it probably wouldn't do all that much for you because both tires would simply spin. This might cause you to loose control but I've not ever had that happen so I'm not sure about it.

Driving a 6.3 with this axel is somthing a bit different. That car needs LSD due to all the power the engine can produce but they're so front end heavy only a foolish person would take one out in slipery conditions.
 I once found myself having to go back the way I was going because the 6.3 I was driving could not make it up a small incline over a bridge when I got caught out in the snow. Any 113 is a safer car than a 6.3 in the same rather unpleasant conditions.

[AudioGuy]

I have a 1970 280SL and it has 3.92 with limited slip differential.  I have just taken it out and replaced it with a 3.27.  Any idea what the limited slip might be worth?

Mark

[66andBlue]

Mark,
my guess is that you have sold it already but just in case you are still wondering about its value there is one offered on eBay for $1000 or best offer. item 140384941648.