Differential Designs
Some of the different designs of a limited-slip differential are the worm gear, cone, and helical design. The worm gear design (Figure 1) has no clutches or disc packs, and the side gears are turned via planet gears.
The cone design (Figure 2) uses springs to differentiate torque to the wheels. The pinion gear and shaft are encased in a spring-loaded retainer in which the springs are preloaded. The side gears and cone clutch assembly activate when the set preload on the springs is reached. This type of unit is called the cone design because of the side gears' appearance. Finally, there's the helical design, which is seen in Detroit Locker's Truetrac. The design is based on parallel axis planetary helical gears, which interact directly with the side gears. This design eliminates the need for springs and clutch packs.