: Aussie Locker Warranty Return


MiniMog
10-16-2003, 07:33 AM
I know everyone has been waiting for one to have a problem so I thought I would post with my experience

I received and installed my Aussie Locker into the front axle of my 85 Toyo p/u with the following specs:
85 Toyo P/U
5spd, dual cases (2.28-5.1)
4:10’s with 35’s and a sawsall lift.

After installation I noticed the locker was a wee bit louder than I expected but it seemed to be working well and I had no indications of any problems. Then while trying to climb a rock, mud face (welcome to Canada) it started clicking very loudly and I was getting no drive to the front wheels, and the front end was louder than a herd of fat chicks at an empty buffet table. So I limped back to the trailer to get George (that’s the name of my truck, long story) home to pull apart to see what I broke. When I pulled the drain plug I knew there was a problem, the metal shaving were plentiful.

Once I had the third out I threw it in the parts washer to get it all cleaned up for inspection, at first glance everything looked cool and the gang. Once I started to dismantle the locker the problem became more evident, I immediately said “I broke it, crap…hey cool am I the first one?”

Once apart I realized that the cam spacer had jammed into the cross shaft and basically started to shred itself and jam the cam gear half open and half closed…..I now found the “click click click”.

I waited until the next day to call Bill Cole over at Aussie lockers and when he picked up the phone the conversation basically started like this

“Hello, Bill Cole”
“Hi Bill, I broke one”
“Really?!? Wow, send it back I will have the replacement out to you today”

After we had the replacement details all worked out he asked a few questions and then asked if I would mind talking to one of his engineers about what I had done, seen and knew about the problem that had occurred. I do know that the locker is now in Australia and Bill will probably post up here exactly what happened as soon as he gets the word from the engineers.

The whole warranty process was an absolute breeze, Bill was awesome to deal with. It really says a lot for a company when their first question was where to send the replacement and the second was what happened. Plus, getting the engineers involved shows me he actually cares about his product and really wants to be the best on the market.

As an FYI I got the replacement in and its working great, post up any questions you have, I will be more than happy to answer them for you….

JamisonWorkshop
10-16-2003, 07:48 AM
Did you have the proper clearances that were speced in the instructions.

I dont see how the spacer can shred if the center pin is smooth and so is the spacer, also if it was catching I would think you somehow installed it tweaked a little bit.

Only other thing there is is the pins and springs not installed right to where it was holding itself open.

Look forward to Bill's analysis of it.

Bigger Valves
10-16-2003, 08:02 AM
awesome and that's very impressive..

MiniMog
10-16-2003, 08:03 AM
I agree I am waiting for Bill's break down of it as well. However I can say it was installed by myself and a good friend of mine who is a Toyo master tech so I am reasonably sure it was installed correctly. Additionally he did check spec and clearances while installing and everything looked cool and the gang there as well.

This post is actually here for two reasons:
1. To let the people know that the warranty Bill is offering is real and very easy to work through
2. Allow an open discussion on what happened and possibly allow for a great product to be made better.

Hell, it could have been my mistake...god knows it wouldn't be the first.

Oxjockey
10-16-2003, 09:03 AM
We also had one that was *very* loud. It was not meeting the installation specs in 3 different carriers, however.

We're waiting on another one and I'm going to try again, and hope for better results. Bill's very easy to work with...

Bryan

sceep
10-16-2003, 09:14 AM
my lockright just developed similar symptoms on a trail last month

Final analasis - bent axle tube. :eek:

Oxjockey
10-16-2003, 09:56 AM
Originally posted by sceep
my lockright just developed similar symptoms on a trail last month

Final analasis - bent axle tube. :eek:

Scout D44?

sceep
10-16-2003, 10:00 AM
Originally posted by Oxjockey


Scout D44?

yup.