Eaton locking differentials have been upgraded over the past several years and offer superior performance and quality. Upgrades include stronger housings; forged gears; carbon-bonded discs that are used in the clutch packs and upgraded cam plate; and lockout and engagement mechanisms to provide improved strength and durability. The Eaton units provide a considerable traction, advantage compared to limited-slip products used by other OEMs.
Four-Wheel Steering?
Quadrasteer From GM
Slated for introduction on select 2002 light-duty trucks and SUVs will be GM's QUADRASTEER. GM has the inside track on the Delphi system, with Delphi having made a commitment to supply GM with QUADRASTEER technology before any other manufacturer - namely Ford or DaimlerChrysler - is allowed to equip its trucks with the innovative setup.
For now, here's what we know about GM's QUADRASTEER along with a teaser photo of Ford's version of the Delphi system.
GM's QUADRASTEER is a fly-by-wire/electronically controlled rear-wheel steering system that has four main components: an electronic front wheel position sensor; a steerable solid rear axle; an electric motor-driven actuator, and a master control unit.
In operation, QUADRASTEER operates in three principal phases: negative, neutral, and positive. At low speeds, QUADRASTEER steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the front wheels, which is the negative mode. At moderate speeds, QUADRASTEER keeps the rear wheels straight; this is the neutral position. At higher speeds, the rear wheels are set in a positive phase, meaning that the front and rear wheels steer the same direction. When QUADRASTEER is in its negative phase, tight turns and low-speed maneuverability is greatly enhanced. When in its positive phase, QUADRASTEER provides a stabilizing effect, because it reduces a vehicle's lateral rotational motion, also known as yaw or sway. There's little denying QUADRASTEER's effect on a truck's turning radius. Just think how well a QUADRASTEER-equipped 4x4 would handle the tight stuff on tricky, technical trail; just think what a short-wheelbase 4x4, such as a Jeep, could do with QUADRASTEER; just think...