Thoughts on D30A and ESP

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2009 1:17 pm

I was wondering if you think that ESP would protect the front diff from exploding? The stories I have heard about destruction usually involve spinning tires that finally and suddenly find traction. One of the functions of the ESP include retarding throttle when the wheels spin. So if that's going to slow wheel spin, wouldn't that reduce stress on the D30A once those tires do find traction?

Coming from a manufacturing background, I know that anything that can be built by a man can be broken by another. Have there been many reports of 05 -up KJs breaking diffs vs 02 - 04?

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2009 1:26 pm

Well your theory sounds correct, but I don't know how the traction system reacts when the wheels are in the air

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2009 2:35 pm

mine hasnt grenaded yet so maybe it helps

it also puts power to the wheel that is not spinning and takes it from the one that is spinning... so that may help as well.

in this video you can see ESP helping my front end get up the hill.. moves power back forth while still keeping both wheels spinning. i've found it to be a great help offroad. (im locked in the rear.. open in the front)

fast forward to 1:10 if you wish.. that's where you can see the ESP work'in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhggnINDdzw

if you watch the rest of the video you can see several rubicons on 35's (and one on 37's) having trouble making it up that same hill that i am showing the ESP on :twisted:

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2009 3:03 pm

It really depends on just how fast the traction control reacts. If it lets the wheels spin some THEN applies the brakes, I would say no, its not 100% safe. Anytime the wheel has potential to spin the grab there is a chance it can explode.

Does it reduce your chances? Sure, to an extent...

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:41 pm

Not only does to brake the wheel with no traction, it also retards the throttle which is the basis for my question. When I was returning home from Jackson Hole, WY a couple of weeks ago, I was cruise controlling down the highway at 75 mph and I hit an unexpected sheet of ice.

The traction light lit up and the cruise disengaged. I do not believe the the brakes were applied in this instance and my Jeep kept on straight; it was all throttle control.

If you had two KJ's (one with and without ESP) gunning it through the mud. Both come upon a rocky ledge that both try to get up. Both KJ's are on a poor traction surface and both are trying to climb onto a high traction surface. In both instances, the drivers are applying throttle to climb out of the muddy hole and both are experiencing some degree of wheel spin due to the mud.

Since the amount of wheel spin is controlled by computer, the ESP wheel spin should be much slower by the time the tires touch the rock even if the driver has it floored. The non ESP driver can self-regulate how much throttle to apply, but there's room for error resulting in a grenaded diff.

I'm no expert, but my opinion is ESP might save the hardware off road.

mtnbikermatt · **Joined:** Sat Mar 17, 2007 9:29 am **Posts:** 66

I broke a D30A with the esp.... but it was off at the time

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:54 pm

I don't think you can turn off ESP but like I said, anyone can break anything if they try hard enough.

Diggerfreek · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2009 5:02 pm

well if you simply hit the button, it tones it down alot and will delay throttle cut off longer. Now if you play with one of the abs wires or pull the fuse for the abs pump, it be completely disabled

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:08 pm

when it is 'off' it doesn't regulate throttle.. just uses the brakes to try and find traction... when it's on it does both.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:18 pm

lol the jeep after yours just about tagged the spare tire commin off that high centered rock :lol:

Thoughts on D30A and ESP

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