Thread: ATBs or Torque Biassing Diffs and how they work

Originally Posted by Beery

And if you're lucky/unlucky enough to have a late version of traction control, this all happens automatically. Obviously not in your case Neil.
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Yup, the Malaysian spec MY2013 Defenders don't have traction control or ABS... Had the vehicle come with traction control I may not have bothered with ATBs (or lockers of any type). I just wanted something a little better than open diffs, so lacking traction control from the factory - I went with ATBs with the bonus it got rid of the stock diffs' (weak) planetary gears etc...

Originally Posted by Red90

The problem is that when you are on a serious obstacle that needs power using brakes (manually or with traction control) is counter productive. You see it just kill progress on steep obstacles that need traction aids.

Absolutely right there.... while some deft left foot braking can get through some obstacles - some obstacles will demand full lockers front and rear. No two ways about it. (I'll be off looking for the chicken track then...)

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

But in my Puma the TC only brakes the spinning wheel and the other wheels seem unaffected.
I'm really impressed with the TC in our Puma. And I can compare it to the Detroit auto locker in the rear of our previous D1.

Totally agreed there too... traction control by itself could best ATBs and left foot braking. Traction control PLUS ATBs will go further, easier. But still there comes a time, a seriously difficult obstacle that demands twin lockers and nothing less. (See ya on the chicken track in that case! Thats where I will be as noted in the post above....)

Originally Posted by Red90

You see it on steep climbs with lower traction surfaces. They will just stop dead as all the power is robbed trying to find traction.

I've never seen it, experienced it or heard of it. My experiences are that they just stop dead because there isn't enough traction - thats for sand, mud, gravel and dirt, rock the lot.... well, I havent tried ice.

The only situation that I can think of where I have heard that is in sand, but when tyre pressures are correct the ETC barely triggers apart from crossups in tracks where it helps. Thats been in the softest of sands also like Ngarla and Stockton.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

But in my Puma the TC only brakes the spinning wheel and the other wheels seem unaffected.
I'm really impressed with the TC in our Puma. And I can compare it to the Detroit auto locker in the rear of our previous D1.

Same in the D2 depending on the conditions ie, when all 4 are on the ground.

Originally Posted by Red90

Yes. I understand how traction control works. With the right conditions it will pull so much power that you can’t get through. I’ve seen it happen many times with the modern Land Rovers. The ATBs work well with helping traction control not need to rob as much power.

Not on D2. Brake pad pulsing only. No change (retardation) to engine at all. You can overcome the ETC with the right foot of you choose.

Cheers

On a Puma it could be due to the driver forgetting to turn off the Stability Control

Stability Control?