MarkPan

I know you arent supposed to go more than ~15mph with the rear diff locked, but does that apply to the center diff as well?

(88 5KTQ).

also, do they automatically unlock over certain speeds or not? i remember hearing something about that, but nothing solid

XcellR8edAudi

in my 200 it shut off at 10 or 15 or something.. and from then on they were all limited like that.. so the 5000 diffs are the most fun! (donut wise etc) :P

rick5ktq

But mine didn't last time I had them locked. They didn't unlock when I unlocked them either. Turning the car off fixed it.

XcellR8edAudi

sometimes it just takes a little bit...

cuatrokoop

The CQ will unlock at ~15mph or on the 1-2 gear change depending on what my right foot is doing.

The '86-88 5ktq/q can have the diffs locked at any speed.

Also, the only "harm" from running the diffs locked can come at low speed on high grip surfaces. It'll cause excessive tire scrub, tire chatter, and extra stresses on the driveline. However, I've done it "a few" times in the eight years I've had my 5kq.

rick5ktq

If they don't unlock automatically that explains a lot!
I re-read the manual. I think I was turning when I turned them off. According to the manual it may not disengage when turning.

I don't know where I got the 15 mph thing - is that TorSen?

JeepJason

When I owned my 4k it was awesome you could lock the front wheels or rear and drive at any speed. Once I replaced the springs with HR lowering springs and when dropping it back down broke a rear joint. Till I got the replacement I locked the front diffs and drove it like I normally would. Took it all the way up to 80mph zero problems. Really miss that car and it's the main reason I never upgraded to a newer Audi because they limited it to a certain speed. Now if they would change that feature or you could mod it that might get me interested. The thing is in the snow with it locked it felt unstoppable like a tank. Miss that beautiful red 4k cs quattro.

JeepJason

Correction I meant to say I could lock the fronts or all four wheels

cuatrokoop

Front diff is open, and is not lockable. Center and rear are lockable on the 4kq. Quaiffe and Wavetrac makes a limited slip diff that fits in the front diff housing.