Ball Dif VS Gear Diff & Why
12-17-2010, 10:00 PM
#1
Ball Dif VS Gear Diff & Why
So many of the short course trucks on the market come with a sealed gear diff that you can tune with different weight oils why is moving to a ball diff an upgrade.
What do you see as the pros and cons of this upgrade above and beyond keeping up with a ball diff and keeping it smooth.
What do you see as the pros and cons of this upgrade above and beyond keeping up with a ball diff and keeping it smooth.
12-17-2010, 10:05 PM
#2
Well the ball diff offers more side bite and gear diff for forward bite. The gear will require less overall maintaince. All you have to do is clean it and re-grease or full the diff with oil. On the other hand a ball diff when it gets a bit gritty will require more maintaince to keep up with the performane. Hope
this helps you out.
this helps you out.
12-17-2010, 10:18 PM
#4
If you get a gear diff tuned with the right diff lube for your track surface it is very close to a ball diff with a LOT less maintenance,much stronger if your running a high KV brushless system..Just my .02...
12-17-2010, 10:31 PM
#5
I'm no expert, but from my experience with both. Gear diffs to me would be smoother; Ball diffs lock-up under power which is good on straightaways not so good in corners. Ball diffs require alot of maintenance to keep smooth. Gear
diffs can be adjusted by changing fluid weight. Ball diffs are either off or on.
Not really sure why everyones going ball. Just my $.02.
diffs can be adjusted by changing fluid weight. Ball diffs are either off or on.
Not really sure why everyones going ball. Just my $.02.
12-17-2010, 10:36 PM
#7
yea, i like gear diffs a lot better and i like be able to change the weights of the oils and the spider gears are pretty tough and less work.
ball diffs do give you more grip but man they are a pain in the butt to adjust right and having to rebuilt them !
ball diffs do give you more grip but man they are a pain in the butt to adjust right and having to rebuilt them !
12-17-2010, 10:37 PM
#8
Ball diff has less rotating mass, and in classes with lower powered motor limits, you can feel the difference. Beyond that, its personal preference. I've had both work equally well for me.
On a side note; since I race at multiple tracks, its nice to be able to stick a wrench in my diff and adjust it for that track on that day, under those conditions. A gear diff would need to be torn down, cleaned, and refilled. That's after you get it out of the tranny.
On a side note; since I race at multiple tracks, its nice to be able to stick a wrench in my diff and adjust it for that track on that day, under those conditions. A gear diff would need to be torn down, cleaned, and refilled. That's after you get it out of the tranny.
12-17-2010, 10:45 PM
#9
You adjust your ball diff to track conditions? I thought that was what the slipper is for..Per,every manual I have read over the past 25yrs. 
12-17-2010, 10:47 PM
#10
Ball diff has less rotating mass, and in classes with lower powered motor limits, you can feel the difference. Beyond that, its personal preference. I've had both work equally well for me.
On a side note; since I race at multiple tracks, its nice to be able to stick a wrench in my diff and adjust it for that track on that day, under those conditions. A gear diff would need to be torn down, cleaned, and refilled. That's after you get it out of the tranny.
On a side note; since I race at multiple tracks, its nice to be able to stick a wrench in my diff and adjust it for that track on that day, under those conditions. A gear diff would need to be torn down, cleaned, and refilled. That's after you get it out of the tranny.
the hard way.
12-18-2010, 01:11 AM
#11
I found that gear diff's work decent when racing stock(17.5) or RTR 2wd SC classes. In 2wd Open or Mod SC classes, a properly built ball diff is way more consistent. (I race on a fairly large damp clay track.)
12-18-2010, 01:19 AM
#12
Tech Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Adjusting the ball diff can help the car rotate on a given track condition
Jay
12-18-2010, 01:43 AM
#13
gear diff just a mess to clean & adjust ...
Ball diff give way faster lap times compared to gear..
Ball diff give way faster lap times compared to gear..
12-18-2010, 04:32 AM
#14
I think that's more a matter of opinion than fact. Throwing a ball diff in your vehicle is no guarantee of faster lap times.
For larger stuff like 1/8 and 1/5 you only see gear diffs, because I don't think a ball diff could handle the power and weight of the vehicle.
For larger stuff like 1/8 and 1/5 you only see gear diffs, because I don't think a ball diff could handle the power and weight of the vehicle.
