Hi guys,
I own a W460 300GD, Manual transmission, bone stock.
I've been reading up on how various 4WD mechanisms work (lockers, open differentials, Torsen differentials, Viscous couplings, front, rear and center lockers (auto, electric, hydro))
OK, am I correct in understanding that my W460 has front and read hydraulic locking differentials, but no center differential lock?
A buddy of mine who is an off-roading expert said that in his view, the most-capable off-road vehicles have THREE locking differentials, front, center, and rear.
He said that my Gwagen is very capable, but that without a center locking differential, the vehicle would not move in the case where, for example, the rear axle totally lost all traction but the front axle had traction. He said that the lack of a locking center differential would cause all torque to be sent to the rear, where both wheels (even if rear locker was on) had no traction. He said that in this situation, only a vehicle with a central differential lock would ensure that both front and rear received equal amounts of torque.
It sounds right, so my questions are:
1) Is this analysis correct? Why or why not?
2) If so, why do you suppose Mercedes didn't put a central differential lock in on the W460s? They certainly didn't spare expenses elsewhere.
Thanks for putting up with me, I'm a 4WD noob.
Thanks,
Packman