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Who here has experience driving with lockers?

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  • Mr4Speed
    replied
    Check all your body mount bushings, especially in the rear. I doubt that is your problem, but I have had several of those cars that had failed bushings and they will cause some weirdness that can be hard to diagnose.

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  • SuperBuickGuy
    replied
    tru track is the only good thing gforce did to the differential in my GTO... I love the way it works.

    You really haven't lived (or nearly died of a heat attack) until you've been going down a snow-covered grade in a lifted 4x4 (in 2hi), let off the throttle, then immediately end up facing the direction you just came from.... detroit lockers, god love em, are indestructable, but I'll never own another after that I pulled that piroute in a Blazer on 40s

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  • CDMBill
    replied
    The Tru-trac which is now part of the Eaton family along with the Detroit Locker etc. is a great product, smooth predictable power delivery in pretty much much all conditions. Ford is using them in the new 662 HP 2013 Shelby. I used one for Drag Week '05 behind the six speed and at some auto-x events before that engine expired with no issues other than gear lube heat on road courses. I've heard mixed reports on longevity behind mid power drag race set-ups 1000-1500 HP, but I think Procharged509 has a 35 spline S60 version in his completely cool truck, crazy fast truck.

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  • squirrel
    replied
    The advantage to a locker is that you could buy one 15 years ago. The tru trac was out of production for a long time. At least that's how I remember it..

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  • kyhunter89
    replied
    Whats advantages does the detroit locker over the tru-trac? I've got a tru-trac in my street truck and it feels more docile than a gov-lock in the rain, atleast its always gonna spin.

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  • SuperBuickGuy
    replied
    Originally posted by CDMBill View Post
    I have solid aluminum bushings in the front spring eyes and Afco leaf spring sliders in back, no bushings at al. The Cal-trac bar bars bang quite loudly from time to time, I never hear the locker, just feel it.
    there is a huge difference in how the loc rite drives/works vs. the detroit locker. Eventually the loc-rite will tend to stay locked, like a spool - which accentuates any looseness in the car.

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  • CDMBill
    replied
    Originally posted by SuperBuickGuy View Post
    That's what I have in the Skylark. The feeling you're getting is from loose bushings - if you have rubber bushings the sensation can be almost frightening at times. The loc-rite doesn't unlock it simply make sure both wheels are going at least the speed of the driveshaft; which is awesome for traction, not so good for keeping it in a straight line on a rutted road because it will tend to push.

    I was following my Buick and that's when I saw what the car was doing - it does try to pull the car out of line when you get on it. I cured mine with poly bushing on the lower control arms (the upper are adjustable and can flex). But it could be any rubber bushing that's causing your problem - it'll flex at the weakest point, including the front lower control arms. Be warned, though, if you do fix it with a hard bushing, it will then start popping at you when the rear gets bound up (sounds like the floorboard is flexing and tin-canning).

    That said, even if you don't chase down the loose parts, it's quite driveable, and the one thing I love about the loc-rite - it's dead nuts predictable when you start using your throttle to steer
    I have solid aluminum bushings in the front spring eyes and Afco leaf spring sliders in back, no bushings at al. The Cal-trac bar bars bang quite loudly from time to time, I never hear the locker, just feel it.

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  • CDMBill
    replied
    Originally posted by Scott Liggett View Post
    I'm using a Powertraxx Lok-Rite. It replaces the spider gears in an open diff. It's noisy in corners and especially in when parking. I don't care.

    Hey, Bill has your locker ever let loose and freewheeled until you let off the gas? Mine has done it twice. I have to admit I installed it without checking the clearances.
    No it hasn't but that is one of the differences between the Detriot Locket and the Lock-rite. I have a second pumpkin/axle set up with the Detroit Tru-trac Torson style set up and it is way better than the Locker for street driving or road course. It's only 31 spline as only recently can you get a 35 spline Torson style for a 9".
    Last edited by CDMBill; June 28, 2012, 12:06 PM.

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  • Huskinhano
    replied
    It's interesting reading the comments. I've never had a locker...so I don't know other then the basic operation. It clears up a few things like why you see the NASCAR guys contastly tugging the wheel in a turn. I would also guess in Scotts case adding it changes the whole dynamics. Generally the RR wheel wears more the the left due to it being unloaded from torque reation and slipping a little more even with a limited slip axle. As such the the RR tire is going to be slightly shorter. Now install the locker with two different tire diameters I can see how this could cause some issues. Again, now I can see why the NASCAR guys use to play with air pressure and stagger tire size when they use to run bias tires where their diameters would vary from one tire to another of the same size. Good read!

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  • Caveman Tony
    replied
    This is why ARBs rule. ;)

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  • squirrel
    replied
    Originally posted by SuperBuickGuy View Post
    loc-rites don't do the "lock the rear end on a slippery downhill"... that's a detroit locker-only feature
    In southern AZ we never have slippery downhills to test this feature.

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  • Loren
    replied
    Lockers (mine's a Detroit) do that pulling-to-the-side thing when one axle is in "on the notch" and the other isn't quite. Torque is only then being delivered to one side, until the other catches up, say in a slight turn or if you blip the throttle (chirp!) so both sides are engaged, or something. Normal, 'cause even if they're both evenly engaged, it only takes the slightest turn to get one side between notches again.

    Try this, as a demonstration. In a total straight line, do a tiny brake-stand, enough to hear some tire noise. Likely, it only came from one side at first, then both. Now with no steering (go totally straight), get the car moving and then try blipping the throttle...with both sides caught-up and engaged evenly, you won't have that yaw effect happening.
    Last edited by Loren; June 25, 2012, 07:43 AM.

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  • SuperBuickGuy
    replied
    loc-rites don't do the "lock the rear end on a slippery downhill"... that's a detroit locker-only feature

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  • TC
    replied
    Originally posted by squirrel View Post
    wow, sounds like a locker can be really exciting. I don't experience any of that with mine, maybe because it has leaf springs and it's a Detroit Locker, not an off brand.
    I got mine from the Ford Dealer just before they stopped making them and you can feel the ratcheting when pushing the car while turning........

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  • squirrel
    replied
    wow, sounds like a locker can be really exciting. I don't experience any of that with mine, maybe because it has leaf springs and it's a Detroit Locker, not an off brand.

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