wheel spin w/o L.S.D

[Dominick]

on my 318i i know power flows to one wheel in the rear, i believe its my passenger side.

My question is, is power always transfered to that side or does it change?

[Jordan]

The wheel with the least amount of grip will slip first, and directly following that get the vast majority of the engine power.

Put one wheel on sand, and one on the road. Dump the clutch to peel out. You will find the wheel in the sand flings sand everywhere while the one on tar does nothing.

[325beast]

With an open diff, your power is directed to the passenger side.

[Dominick]

ok thanks guys.

i guess thats why my passenger side rear bearing went first.

[EverWiser]

It's not that the power goes to the passenger side only; the wheel with the least traction will spin first. In the case of a RWD car, the twisting motion of the engine and drivetrain forces the driver side rear wheel down while trying to pick up the passenger side rear wheel, thus the passenger side loses traction first and spins.

[ryan_george]

It's not that the power goes to the passenger side only; the wheel with the least traction will spin first. In the case of a RWD car, the twisting motion of the engine and drivetrain forces the driver side rear wheel down while trying to pick up the passenger side rear wheel, thus the passenger side loses traction first and spins.

Although I understand exactly what you're trying to say, I would think that it would be the opposite.
When looking from front to back, the engine and driveshaft rotate clockwise. As you accelerate the rotational mass, the passenger side should be forced down, leaving the driver's side with less traction.

[erik325i]

Also, the driver-side is weighted down due to the weight of the driver. Therefore, since the passenger-side has less weight, it will be more likely to lose traction. It all depends on the circumstances though. But Jordan is right, the wheel that breaks lose first will get most of the power.

[EverWiser]

It's not that the power goes to the passenger side only; the wheel with the least traction will spin first. In the case of a RWD car, the twisting motion of the engine and drivetrain forces the driver side rear wheel down while trying to pick up the passenger side rear wheel, thus the passenger side loses traction first and spins.

Although I understand exactly what you're trying to say, I would think that it would be the opposite.
When looking from front to back, the engine and driveshaft rotate clockwise. As you accelerate the rotational mass, the passenger side should be forced down, leaving the driver's side with less traction.

Imagine if there were a strap wrench on the driveshaft. As it rotates clockwise the handle of the wrench will push against the ground on the driver's side of the car. This is basically what is happening with the differential which will cause more downward force to be applied to the driver's side suspension...with the independent rear suspensions on our E30's it's not as noticeable but look at any fixed axle/diff rearend and you can see how the force of the differential/axle trying to rotate with the driveshaft will put more weight transfer onto the driver's side wheel.

[ryan_george]

Although I understand exactly what you're trying to say, I would think that it would be the opposite.
When looking from front to back, the engine and driveshaft rotate clockwise. As you accelerate the rotational mass, the passenger side should be forced down, leaving the driver's side with less traction.

Imagine if there were a strap wrench on the driveshaft. As it rotates clockwise the handle of the wrench will push against the ground on the driver's side of the car. This is basically what is happening with the differential which will cause more downward force to be applied to the driver's side suspension...with the independent rear suspensions on our E30's it's not as noticeable but look at any fixed axle/diff rearend and you can see how the force of the differential/axle trying to rotate with the driveshaft will put more weight transfer onto the driver's side wheel.

But also imagine that the driveshaft is fixed in space, and the body of the car was able to revolve around the driveshaft. The body of the car would rotate counter-clockwise, putting more force onto the passenger's side. Less grip on the driver's side.

[boom-monkey]

Wow, this post I out of this world. Power is provided to both wheels evenly until one of the wheels losses traction, be it with a loose surface or wieght transfer.

You guys talking about which side is pushed down more, that's pretty negligable with the amount of power out cars are putting out, but it would be the passenger side.

[ryan_george]

Wow, this post I out of this world. Power is provided to both wheels evenly until one of the wheels losses traction, be it with a loose surface or wieght transfer.

You guys talking about which side is pushed down more, that's pretty negligable with the amount of power out cars are putting out, but it would be the passenger side.

It's not exactly out of this world, because one tire will lose traction, and we're just debating which one will.

Thanks for agreeing with me 8) .

[boom-monkey]

My car has an open diff and my car will consistanly break the rear end loose with both tires sliding. Low horsepower, lightwieght cars don't have as much of a need for limited slip because the engine doesn't have the power to overcome to traction of the tires.

[T.Dot E30]

My car has an open diff and my car will consistanly break the rear end loose with both tires sliding. Low horsepower, lightwieght cars don't have as much of a need for limited slip because the engine doesn't have the power to overcome to traction of the tires.

You just said you consistanly break the rear lose, then u say the engine doesn't have enough power to overcome the traction of the tires?

[boom-monkey]

Wieght transfer.

[B2ThaZiZza]

I can get a little wheelspin while at a stoplight revving the engine at high rpms and dropping the clutch, but i dont suggest it because you can break a differential pretty easily after a few attempts. Trust me I know. :oops: