A-ko Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 Hi all, my original 1972 Datsun 510 was totally stock when I got it, and sat in a garage since 1990. Tonight I got under it and was checking my driveshaft (rear U-joint is failing) and as i rotated the driveshaft, both wheels turn the same direction. I put the car up on jackstands in gear, and both wheels are driving forward and if you slow one down, it eventually slows the other one down as well. Am I correct in thinking this means it has a limited-slip differential? Was that even an option on the 510? I've of course seen people talk about the Subaru R160 differentials as an upgrade, but I'm wondering what's up here as this was just a totally normal stock car being used as a daily driver in the 70s-80s. Maybe I'm just thinking wrong. Looking to see what the deal is. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 17 Report Share Posted February 17 Thick oil might account for this. Place transmission in gear. Lift only one rear wheel off the ground and try to turn the other. If it turns you do not have LSD. Unlikely you have an LSD the 510 doesn't make enough power to need it. A rally car on dirt roads might. Quote Link to comment
A-ko Posted February 23 Author Report Share Posted February 23 (edited) On 2/17/2026 at 7:36 AM, datzenmike said: Place transmission in gear. Lift only one rear wheel off the ground and try to turn the other. I'm not so sure how I'm going to be able to move the wheel thats on the ground no matter what. Do you mean turn the wheel that's still on the ground (somehow), or do you mean try turning the one wheel thats jacked up and in the air? With one wheel jacked up, whether it be driver or passenger, when it's in the air with the transmission in gear the wheel that's in the air is locked solid, cannot move it no matter how hard i try. Not sure if that is useful information or not. Still curious. Edited February 23 by A-ko Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 On 2/17/2026 at 5:36 AM, datzenmike said: Lift only one rear wheel off the ground and try to turn the other. If it turns you do not have LSD. I thought I was clear. If not moving it could be an LSD but more likely a Lincoln Locker because... redneck & cheaper. Quote Link to comment
A-ko Posted February 23 Author Report Share Posted February 23 Your wording was clear, but I'm not sure how I'm supposed to move a wheel that's on the ground with the entire weight of the car on it still, while its in gear, with one half of the rear end up in the air sitting on a floor jack. Do you see my confusion? 1 Quote Link to comment
bananahamuck Posted February 23 Report Share Posted February 23 (edited) 4 hours ago, A-ko said: Your wording was clear, but I'm not sure how I'm supposed to move a wheel that's on the ground with the entire weight of the car on it still, while its in gear, with one half of the rear end up in the air sitting on a floor jack. Do you see my confusion? Turn the one off the ground ,, if it free spins as easily as both wheels in air , it's open // If it turns but much-much harder than both in air it might be LSD // if it is impossible to spin it's probably welded . Edited February 23 by bananahamuck 1 Quote Link to comment
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