[CBoldman]

Hey guys. At my university there is a large commuter lot that is positioned on a hill. Due to the fact that it is on a hill, there are a few different levels to park on as the hill goes down. The levels are pretty tight and difficult to turn around, so usually I have to crank the wheel hard to get up.

When it rains (note: Im in Seattle, its been pouring for the last week) and I am at the very lower level, I am forced to make a sharp left turn up the hill. But fore some reason one of my rear tires seems to loose traction and I almost "bind". (Note: I drive around in auto mode exclusivley).

Now my assumption is that it has something to do wtih the DCCD. However, it seems like there is so much speculation on how the DCCD works, I havent been able to figure out how the system works.

What is happening? Is the AWD system responding to the wheels slipage?

[Turninconcepts.com]

Yes, it is responding to wheel slippage. I have found that the controller gets confused at really low (like in a parking lot) speeds when there is low traction.

[telum01]

speaking of that, there's "torque binding", too. i ran into that at one point and it freaked me out til i realized what it was. at really low speeds, when you turn sharply, the diff can "bind" and it basically feels like your wheels just don't want to rotate.

[Pyro]

Ever since I got snow tires, my rear tires go "chirp-chirp-chirp" when making sharp low-speed turns, even in the dry. I ASSume it has to do with the rear LSD overcoming the lesser grip of the snow tires.

Personally, I like it.

[wdb]

My guess is that it has nothing to do with the center differential at all. It sounds like you're discovering just how limited the slip is in the limited slip rear differential. I get that all the time; on dry roads, gravel, you name it. In fact the end of my gravel driveway now has a series of ripples in it from the inside rear wheel chirping its way around a shorter arc as I turn into the driveway from the street.

[solbergfan]

^^wdb is right-it is the clutch packs in the rear diff locking up.

[CBoldman]

Cool, that makes sense. I guess I am a bit confused because I never expirenced such behavior in my 02 WRX.

[jermdeez]

it doesn't get confused id on't believe, it's just the nature oh a high horse power car with suspension desinged to put down mass grip. You'll notice it'd probably be less harsh with dccd all rear. I think the diff just works so well at low speeds it causes that binding or jumping feeling, the reg wrx (i had one as well) front diff doesn't have lsd, and is nowhere as grippy as the sti. It's the nature of the beast.

[Davenow]

Originally Posted by jermdeez

You'll notice it'd probably be less harsh with dccd all rear..

thats not how the dccd works

[Puckshaw]

Ok I feel much better after reading this thread. I've only had my STi for a few days and experienced this problem. My driveway is pretty steep so I take it at an angle going very slow. Well I was pulling in with full rear bias and after a few feet the car couldn't even make it up the rest of the way. It felt like it was in neutral. I switched it to auto and it made it up but made a few noises that made my bones quiver. I've kind of found the sweet spot angle that I can take the driveway at to minimize this problem. The car runs great otherwise. Scared the piss out of me though.

Nate