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oldbeercans

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i have lockrites front and rear in my taco. lately i have been hearing a snapping kind of sound in the rear and it seems to be more when straightening out of a turn. it doesnt do it all the time but im just wondering if maybe the springs and pins need to be replaced. i know this is kind of a charecteristic(thats a hard one)of a ratcheting locker. i use locker additives in them and change fluid as needed. i know that i should just put a detroit or arb in but dont have the cash to do so right now. if got a project that takes all of my extra cash. let me know some input on this as i dont want to break a third in my dd due to lack of maintenance. also it is not a ratcheting noise. thanks:redneck: :beer:
 
The noise is not uncommon on Detroit style lockers. For some reason the smaller housings are more prone to noise, as are the cheaper variations (like your lock-right). There's no special additive needed, as it has no clutches that need to slip. If anything, it may be contributing to the noise, but I doubt it. However the thing I'd check, is tire pressure on the two rears. Make sure they are EXACTLY the same.
 
TreeClimber said:
The noise is not uncommon on Detroit style lockers. For some reason the smaller housings are more prone to noise, as are the cheaper variations (like your lock-right). There's no special additive needed, as it has no clutches that need to slip. If anything, it may be contributing to the noise, but I doubt it. However the thing I'd check, is tire pressure on the two rears. Make sure they are EXACTLY the same.
Click to expand...
And to add to that tire size...if one is at full tread and one is quite a bit less it will make a difference. My taco rear lockright was noisey as hell but when I took it out it looked great. But I have installed a couple in older toys and the owners say they they never hear them pop.
 
Yup - make SURE the rear tires' pressure is the same and they've got the same amount of tread.

And just for good measure, go tighten all of the u-bolts in the rear. Probably not your issue, but lockers put a lot of stress/stretch on those things and when it starts to get loose back there you're got the potential for a lot of different noises (and worse).
 
i bought brand new tires about three weeks ago. maybe im just not used to **** sounding like it gonna let go. but if it is normal i guess im good to go. keep on keepin on...
 
oldbeercans said:
i bought brand new tires about three weeks ago. maybe im just not used to **** sounding like it gonna let go. but if it is normal i guess im good to go. keep on keepin on...
Click to expand...

If you get bored, here's something to consider. The 'new' tires may not be identical is size. Try a little test. Lift one rear tire off the ground, and run a string around the circumferance. Measure length. Repeat on other rear tire. Compare the size of the two. If you're off an inch or so (of circumferance - not of diameter), then I'd take it back to the tire shop and one of them replaced with a matched set. If nothing else, you've eliminated a potential cause of said '**** sound'
 
My lunchbox lockers do the same thing. Even my buddies $575 Detroit pops like a bitch in the rear of his Xj from time-to-time.
 
Treeclimber is right about tire circumference.
Another way to check it is to air the tires up to the same PSI and then draw a chalk line down the tire and onto the ground. Roll the rig until the chalk meets the ground again and mark the ground. Then measure the distance from one mark to the other. Put the two tires with the closest measurements on the rear axle.
Another issue that no one even considers is 4 way alignment. If your rear axle isn't squared up to your front, the rig will 'crab' and your locker will lock and unlock improperly. TJ's with long arm kits are the worst for this as the installer normally has to adjust arm lengths. Toys also seem to have this problem frequently. You wouldn't think that a factory located rear leaf spring system would ever have this probelm, but they do.
 
My front lock rite was quiet for quite awhile after new....then it started making popping noises under power on stressfull climbs etc..... the pins had sheared inside and were wedged in the case. It got replaced with an ARB.
 
jeepermc said:
My front lock rite was quiet for quite awhile after new....then it started making popping noises under power on stressfull climbs etc..... the pins had sheared inside and were wedged in the case. It got replaced with an ARB.
Click to expand...

And that's how they got the nickname 'lunchbox lockers'. Should have started with a full-on Detroit Locker to begin with. They don't shear pins. Ever.
 
its not uncommon for them to strip teeth off or sheer pins. you can usually flip the teeth around and save them for a bit but they eventually let go. they are cheap and weak. but work for a while
 
TreeClimber said:
And that's how they got the nickname 'lunchbox lockers'. Should have started with a full-on Detroit Locker to begin with. They don't shear pins. Ever.
Click to expand...

I admit, they are a cheaper alternative. I have ran mine with good service so far. I have the Aussie locker in the rear, Lok-wrong in the front. Love the Aussie so far... the Lok-wrong has served its purpose.

I have heard people say that a Detroit is a waste up front on a Toyota. If a birfield joint breaks, you have a $475 paper-weight.
 
Because usually when a birfield pops, the shock to the axle will kill the Detroit too. So the rumor has it. If its a lunchbox type, you can replace the parts and stuff to reuse it, and I guess you cant do that with the regular Detroits?

As for getting new tires, I got new tires on my truck, and it did some really different things with the spool in the back compared to the old ones. Could it be that its just acting different because of the new tires? Either adhesion to the ground (which is where I noticed the difference with my spool), or like other have said, the circumference.

~T.J.
 
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