# RC Cars and differentials

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rc-cars-and-differentials/42193>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 21, 2000, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rc-cars-and-differentials/42193 "2000-11-21T22:25:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![edwardc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ec9cab/32.png) [@edwardc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwardc)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2000, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rc-cars-and-differentials/42193/1 "2000-11-21T22:25:15Z")

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Why do rc cars need diffs? I have a MP - 7.5 and it’s all wheel drive. but there’s the thing… when I am cornering hard, the inside fromt wheel comes off the ground sometimes and spins like mad. When three out of four wheels are touching the ground, the third wheel gets all the power. What good is this? And before anyone says to readjust the suspension, I have. But why can’t we all have posi traction in the front and rear of the car? Or some sort of limited slip diff or something?

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**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2000, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rc-cars-and-differentials/42193/2 "2000-11-22T00:49:54Z")

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Limited slip differentials are actually a little bit complicated to make. And they would cost quite a bit. And, if you really use them hard enough and/or long enough, they wear out.

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**Author:** ![barking\_frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@barking\_frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barking_frog)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2000, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rc-cars-and-differentials/42193/3 "2000-11-22T01:25:51Z")

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There are “Torsen” diffs that uses a special set of gears to transfer power to the wheels that have the most traction, but they come at a cost. Maybe you need thicker oil in your diffs, anyways, there are better sources to get help on this subject than here.

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**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\
**Post date:** [November 22, 2000, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rc-cars-and-differentials/42193/4 "2000-11-22T01:39:47Z")

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Do they really make Torsen differentials for RC cars? That would be cool!