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Topic: Left Rear Tire Traction Problem (Read 2907 times) previous topic - next topic

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

There is a problem with the left rear tire loosing traction when making a left turn with my 87 T-Bird. The tires 215/70/14 are new and the car has the trac-lok differential. There is no traction loss when making right turns. Where should I start looking to correct this problem?

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #1 –
Quote from: 87tbird_org_owner;452139
There is a problem with the left rear tire loosing traction when making a left turn with my 87 T-Bird. The tires 215/70/14 are new and the car has the trac-lok differential. There is no traction loss when making right turns. Where should I start looking to correct this problem?

Inside the differential...

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #2 –
What exactly do you mean by "loosing traction"? A non-functioning Traction-Lok should work just like an open differential.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #3 –
Quote from: thunderjet302;452148
What exactly do you mean by "loosing traction"? A non-functioning Traction-Lok should work just like an open differential.


On any pavement surface I can here the left tire start to spin mid-way thru a left turn for a few seconds. Then as I straighten the car out in to the roadway lanes the tire traction returns. Something else I remember, the left tire will also spin for a few seconds at the start of a hard straight line launch. This is the totally stock V8 engine and rear end.

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #4 –
How's the tread on the left rear tire..........?

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #5 –
Yeah, I was going to ask about tread as well. I'm pretty sure it's not a "too much power" issue.

Is it a Sport model> Floor shifted 5.0? Does it have 4 rear shocks, 2 up and down, and two front to back? If so, it may be a 7.5 traction lock rear (2.73 gears)....perhaps something is wrong with it. Otherwise.....I'm not sure yet.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #6 –
Quote from: 87tbird_org_owner;452139
The tires 215/70/14 are new and the car has the trac-lok differential.


Just purchased Hankook tires in September 2015. Yes the Sport model came stock with the Quad Shock setup like the Mustang but with the 2.73 ratio.

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #7 –
Whoops, missed the "tires are new" part.  Reading comprehension 101, here I come........again......LOL.

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #8 –
In a left turn, centrifical force causes the weight to shift outward (to the right). If this is excessive, it can take much of the weight off the left-rear. So how's the ol' suspension? Got a lot of body roll, saggy front suspension, etc?

I used to exploit this when I was a teenager and had cars that were too weak to do burnouts. Slam on the brakes so the front end would dip, taking the weight off the rear, then mash the gas. Or, if it was a one-wheel peeler, cut a hard right corner so the weight would come off the right-rear, lol.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #9 –
Well depending on how much throttle you're giving the engine you may just be breaking the left tire loose because it has less traction. A worn out Traction-Lok will work just like an open differential letting the tire with less traction spin.

As a side note when my Thunderbird was completely stock with a 2.73 open rear it would spin the tire pretty easily. Yes just one tire....
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #10 –
See my 1st post... Not much doubt, the T-L unit is worn out...

Left Rear Tire Traction Problem

Reply #11 –
Quote from: TurboCoupe50;452186
See my 1st post... Not much doubt, the T-L unit is worn out...

A pretty easy fix, lots of write ups on it.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +