[snek]

I know on a standard 2-wheel car, it's really only one of the wheels that gets all the power - unless the car has a limited slip differential.

My question is which side is the driven wheel on a stock MCS?

TIA

[Fin]

I assume you mean a standard 4 wheeled car, which is either front wheel driven or rear wheel driven.

I have never heard of a front or rear wheel driven car only having power to one wheel during normal driving. They are both driven, and both have differentials. They have to, as when turning they rotate at different speeds. Differentials also act as a final gear reduction before the wheels.

A Limited Slip Differential (LSD) is a derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in rotational velocity between the wheels, but does not allow the difference in speed to increase beyond a preset amount. Can be useful having as a buffer before the ASC/DSC system kicks in (with regard to the traction component of the systems).

So, in answer to your question: Both wheels are driven on the MCS

[Restyle]

I think you`ve slightly misunderstood the concept of the differential.
Lets hope I`ve got this right
Put Simply, the engines torque is split equally between the wheels of the front axle.
The differential deriving its name from its ability to transmit the power to the wheels while allowing them to rotate at different speeds, as is required when going around corners.
Importantly, with reference to your question - No particular wheel has preference over the other. If the front end were jacked up, you would be able to hold & lock either one of then while the other continued to rotate ... but dont try this without gloves

The only difference that happens with a LSD {Limited Slip Differential} is that the output shafts are coupled via clutch plates which limits the speed difference between the two wheels.

[frylock]

Another angle on this--

Front wheel drive cars have 2 drive shafts--one going to each wheel. Also in a lot of FWD cars, these drive shafts are slightly different lengths--depending on the position of the engine/transmission. In these cars, the wheel that's turned by the shorter drive shaft will have slightly more power than the other. This is called torque steer. A couple of things to note:

1) Both wheels are still 'driven'
2) Torque steer affects rear wheel drive cars, too
3) The designers of the MINI have taken steps to minimize torque steer. I don't really notice anything under normal driving conditions.

[snek]

That's what I meant, I guess: Which wheel is it that's turned by the shorter drive shaft and therefore gets slightly more power?

[Restyle]

Neither, The MINI was designed with equal length driveshafts to avoid Torque steer

[snek]

Well, boys and girls the results are in: it turns out, on the S it's the front right wheel. Thanks for your answers.

[David_MCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by snek (original)

Well, boys and girls the results are in: it turns out, on the S it's the front right wheel. Thanks for your answers.

How so?

The complete range of Mini's have equal length drive shafts between the wheel and the differential, if you were maybe refering to what side the ring gear sits in the differential in relation to the input pinion, this difference would be almost undetectable.

Torque steer in Mini's would be mainly down to either the road condition, or wheel allignment/tracking.

If your Mini is experiencing noticable torque steer on a good road with proper wheel allignment i'd get it checked out .

Thank you and goodnight.

-David

[snek]

The mechanics at my dealership agreed on MCS tires on the right front always wear out faster than tires on the left front.

[David_MCS]

That depends what way you go round the roundabouts Common on ALL cars who drive on the left, the left tyres wear out quicker than the right.

If in your country you drive on the right hand side, and initiate roundabouts counter-clockwise, your right tyre would definitely wear out quicker Its not because any bias in the differential, or to what wheel might get more power.

-David