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Heavier Rear Differential
(thicker oil)
• Increases on-throttle steering
• Better acceleration if the grip is there
• More predictable car (cars with very “loose” diffs have a tendency to
understeer heavily under throttle and turn-in oversteer as soon as you
lift)
• More on-throttle oversteer (snap-oversteer)
• More turn-in understeer
• More stable under braking
B15. FRONT BALL DIFFERENTIAL
(Optional)
The optional front ball differential (#802370) differential action can be
adjusted externally with a single screw, enabling quick changes to the
steering characteristic and overall behavior of the car.
Using the front differential combines
some of the braking advantages of a
solid front axle while allowing inner/
outer wheel speed difference. This last
adjustment depends on how much
friction is applied with the external
friction collar.
The front differential is most commonly
used in low grip conditions. It can
improve on-power corner entry as
well as braking. The front differential
is most commonly used with a rear
differential.
The advantage of using a front ball differential is that it can be quickly
adjusted to adapt the Serpent 720 to varied track conditions, using a
single screw. Drawbacks include the possibility of diff slippage if the
internal adjustment screw is not sufficiently tight, and also that running an
excessively loose diff action (when slippage is tight) will result in front end
looseness if one wheel starts spinning.
ADJUSTING THE FRONT BALL DIFFERENTIAL
Gear slippage
is set independently of differential action. When building the
front ball differential, tighten the internal adjustment screw to minimize or
eliminate slippage under power. The internal adjustment screw squeezes the
diff plates against the diff balls, putting lateral force on them. Make sure the
differential does not slip under power, since this will cause power loss and
excessive wear. However, do not tighten the differential too much as it will
damage the diff balls and plates.
Differential action
is set via an external adjustment screw in the external
friction collar. Use the diff friction collar to adjust the amount of friction.
Tighten the adjustment screw to tighten the diff; loosen the adjustment
screw to loosen the diff.
EFFECTS OF FRONT BALL DIFFERENTIAL ADJUSTMENT
Looser Front Diff Action
(looser friction collar)
• Increases steering
• Decreases stability under braking but better turn-in
• Understeer on-power at corner exit