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Tighter Front Diff Action
(tighter friction collar)
• Decreases steering
• Increases stability under braking but less turn-in
• Better on-power at corner exit
B16. REAR BALL DIFFERENTIAL
(Optional)
The optional rear ball differential (#802380) shares the same construction
and adjustability as the front ball differential (#802370). Differential action
can be adjusted externally with a single screw.
The rear differential can be combined
with all types of front axles. The
advantage of the rear 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 rear end looseness if one
wheel starts spinning.
ADJUSTING THE REAR BALL DIFFERENTIAL
Gear slippage
is set independently of differential action. When building the
rear 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 REAR BALL DIFFERENTIAL ADJUSTMENT
Looser Rear Diff Action
(looser friction collar)
• Increases stability at mid-corner and corner exit
• Increases on-throttle understeer
• Better on low-traction surfaces
Tighter Rear Diff Action
(tighter friction collar)
• Car understeers slightly at corner entry, but makes the car more difficult
to control at corner exit (pwer slides)
• Increases on-throttle steering
• Better on high-traction surfaces