I just got done installing my aussie, and after I put the Cross shaft throught the aussie, it had some play (movement) when I twisted the locker on the shaft. I would have thought that with the shaft installed through the locker there would be no play at all. This was my first locker install and I couldnt find anything in the directions about how tight it should be on the cross shaft.
During my initial testing I could not get the locker to unlock by hand,(turning one wheel). When I pulled away I made a sharp turn slowly and it made a loud pop, then started to ratchet. I have driven about 30 miles on it, seems good now, and worked really well off road. But I wanted to make sure that that play of the locker on the cross shaft is normal. For some reason I dont think it should have play, but what the hell do I know.
Thanks for any input. Stinson

Every write up I've seen talks about the first loud pop, then everything's ok.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/productreviews/aussie/index.html

Sounds *exactly* like my installtion... No problems :)

That's how it locks up. Carrier spins, locker stays put until the cross pin pushes the inside pieces apart causing them to "lock" into the teeth of the outside pieces, then the locker starts to spin with the carrier. The locker is machined so that the half moons on each inside piece(that become one big moon when put together:D)are widened out to allow the cross pin to push those pieces apart when it spins. Uh, if I've got it wrong, lemme know! :eek:

You guys re-check your gear pattern after the install? It's easy reposition the ring in relation to the pinion after installing the locker? I'm assuming that all you need to do is make sure your backlash is within spec?

Just bringing this back up. I am almost afraid to go and get me a locker, and the aussie is at the top of my list right now. I have done lots of other stuf like top end of engine rebuild and all my suspension crap as well as tearing the axels down to put my new thirdmembers in, but I haven't takend a thirdmember apart. How many parts can you or can you not re-use if I was to get one of these and put it in my rear third with precision 5:29's and it had a master install kit only like 500 miles ago. Are there any write ups or anything about taking the axel apart, and how to line it back up, Just asking from the pros.....thanks guys.

There are a few write ups on installing the R&P. Honestly, unless you've got a press and access to a dial gauge - or pinion depth tool, IMHO you don't need to be messing with it.

That being said, for someone with the right tools the 3rd is really pretty easy to setup. It doesn't require shims like other rear ends and the ring can be moved around easily.

My recommendation - have a shop setup your R&P (locker at the same time). It really shouldn't cost you any more $$$

To answer your question - the only parts you wouldn't be reusing are the spider gears. The locker replaces these. I'm in a similar situation, I just had the rear setup with 4.88s and I installed the locker. With the 3rd out, it probably could have been done in about 1/2 hour. My question is in regard to the 3rd itself. Once the pinon depth is set, do you set the ring position by pattern, backlash, or a combo of both?

Originally posted by dcg9381




Once the pinon depth is set, do you set the ring position by pattern, backlash, or a combo of both? all you need to do is get the backlash right and the right amount of carrier preload :D

Thanks guys, looks like everything went as it should of. It seems to be working great now, and Im happy with the offroad performance. I guess Im just a little parinoid. I did use a dial guage to set the backlash back up so I know im good in that department. Thanks for clearing things up for me.
Stinson

Thanks, maybe I will have a shop set it up,

You can buy a dial guage and magnetic base for about $40. If your gears are already installed, it's no big deal to check and reset the backlash. The pinion depth is a @#$@, but that's already been set for you.

You're basically measuring free play in the ring before it meets the pinion... If you were in my area, I'd offer to show you how to do it...



On a seperate note - how many people had to "clearance" the carrier to get the locker in? Mine took quite a bit...

I also had to clearance quite a good bit. But I was expecting that after hearing what a few others mentioned. No biggie Cya Stinson