Rear differential issues

Hello I have a 2002 Tacoma Pre-runner with a locking rear differential.
My problem is, is that when it isn't locked, it only sends power to my rear right wheel and never to the left wheel. I noticed this on rainy days when I would hit the gas too hard while turning. Is this normal or should I get it checked out somewhere? Thanks.

 

Normal. A open diff only supplies power to one wheel at a time.

 

Sounds like it's behaving normally. An open (unlocked) differential sends power to the wheel with the least amount of traction. If one wheel is off the ground, that wheel gets all the power. The locker sends power evenly to both wheels so in that scenario, the wheel on the ground will be able to move you.

 

When you're making a turn, you don't want both wheels to be getting equal power...I don't know if you've ever tried turning while off-roading with the locker turned on, but the rear end will hop around if you do it too quickly. Think about that happening on wet pavement going 15-20 mph....not good.

 

You'd have to replace with an LSD to get traction you are looking for. An LSD will release clutches on turns to prevent binding as a locker would. Also, it will lock up when you hit the gas to keep the one wheel from spinning. If you aren't wheeling it, best of both worlds.

 

So it's alright that only my right wheel will spin if it's slick on the road and I hit the gas hard? My left wheel doesn't have close to the power my right wheel does. If I turn right sharply and hit the gas then my tire spins on that side which is normal but if I turn left hard and hit the gas my left wheel does not spin like the right if that makes sense.

 

Right wheel spins due to the twist of the chassis from engine torque. More weight is placed on the left tire than the right. So right is easier to spin.

 

If you're turning right on a slick road and giving it alot of gas, then yes that sounds normal.

If you we're trying to go straight on dry pavement and only the right wheel was spinning then youd have a problem.

Sounds like what you really want is a limited slip differential (LSD) like someone else mentioned above.

 

What do you think it is? My locker works when I engage it so equal power to both wheels but you think something is wrong with it not engaged?

 

If both axles spin with the locker, there is nothing left to figure out. There isn't any magic inside an open differential.

 

No, it sounds to me like nothing is wrong. If anything, you're taking your turns too quickly. If you want to gas your truck around corners and take them fast (not sure why) then you need to install a limited slip differential so you get better traction from both wheels. What you're describing with your truck right now sounds completely normal for an open differential.

 

Need a LSD or better tires. May even want to add a couple hundred pounds to the bed if you want to hot rod it around corners

 

Well thank you and yeah it was just something I noticed when the road was slick so I experimented with it I gain more info, not something that is usual for me to do to try and drift around corners or anything haha