trivium

Is there any way to see if a differential in the S is damaged by driving it? Thanks.

REVZ TO9

I think you'd hear alot of rumbling and loose pieces when turning, but Im not for sure. Someone correct me if Im wrong

Mad_Paradox

or you can just try to drain out the fluid it does not take that long. But a lot of rubling and loose pieces noise is a sign too

trivium

Well I would like to be able to tell by taking a test drive since I dont own the car yet.

SpitfireS

You can't see from the outside
During a test drive listen for rumbling noises.
Take some tigth full steering lock turns (parking lot ?) left & right and listen.
Do expect some noise, thats normal.
Give a little throttle during those turns and feel what the back end does.
You should be able to feel the diff lock a bit.
On longer faster corners the car should feel neutral, not that the inner rear wheel pushes the front out.
But that could be tire choce / allignment too.

And most important:

ASK FOR SERVICE HISTORY.
(I should have typed that first)

Good luck

INDYMAC

I agree with SpitfireS. But as far as listening for noises in a S2000, it could be like looking for a needle in a haystack! Do a search for "noises" on this forum and learn which descriptions led to diff failure. Lots of people get spooked over nothing because there are so many noises. If the seller will allow it, buy a quart of SAE 90 GL-5 gear oil and ask him or her to change the oil in the diff in front of you. Grab a sample with a clean container and inspect the drain plug for excessive metal stuck to it. If time permits, get a UOA done on the sample (takes about a week from Blackstone). Other than that, I don't know what else you can do to determine pending diff failure.

trivium

I forgot to mention I am buying it from a no name dealer. I dont think thats gonna happen.

mikegarrison

Also, there is a test you can do. It's in the Helm manual. It goes something like this, but this is from memory so look it up to make sure you get it right.

Lift the rear end of the car. Put the car in gear. Turn (by hand) one wheel, first forwards, then backwards. The other wheel should move in the opposite direction. Then go to the other wheel and repeat. The first wheel should move in the opposite direction.

campbuds

Use your x-ray vision

kMfromLA

Turn the car to the left as hard as you can. While going about 7 mph push the clutch in and then release it over and over while in second gear and with out applying any gas. It you hear a slight clunking noise after doing this then the lsd is messed up. It should almost sound like a clicking noise. (All of this is assuming the entire diff is stock.)

After try the same thing only turning right all the way. Again try to vary the speed from 3 mph to about 10 mph. And try tapping the gas peddle a little while doing it. You'll need a large parking lot and about 20 minutes. In all you should have about 5 or so tests. (One left, one right, one left at 3 mph, one right at 10 mph, and maybe one left at 6 mph while tapping the gas)

-kM