Originally Posted by PhotoMunkey

Cptn Mercury>Glad it's working better...

One test to tell if a Torsen (i.e. torque-sensing via helical gears) differential is working is to take off in first or reverse while turning sharply. This places the greatest torque load on the helical gears. You don't have to take off hard, and in fact, perhaps a normal roll-off would be best. My guess is the vibration you were feeling (backing out of a parking space while turning, right?) was coming from the faces of the helical gears as they had to slip past one another in order to allow the inside and outside rear wheels to turn at different speeds. When they won't slip, they'll stutter, which would probably feel quite violent. As for the smell, perhaps the diff lock up was dragging a tire on the pavement? Even I doubt that though so I'm puzzled. Maybe the incorrect fluid in the diff was just "burnt up"? It would have a very distinctive "stinky sock" sort of oily smell... no better way to describe it than that.

Torsens are very robust. I'd worry more about the pinion bearing and the side carrier bearings.