to someone who has never heard of one? All I know is they lock the rear axle and it was from the factory, but I don't know how they lock etc.

So how would you explain what a gov loc is....


POS! :D :eek:

They have a piece that locks the two axles once the initeria is great enough. Kind of like the Governor on the transmission. Hence the Gov-Loc. I have seen a few get chewed up when they try to engage and the gear on the govenor isn't strong enough to deal with the extra load. I wish Detroit made a locker to fit in the 3 pin 14 bolt carrier :rolleyes: That is the best I can explain it. Hope that helps.

The mighty gov-loc (http://yeagerd.home.mindspring.com/TablePics/limitedslip5.jpg)

Originally posted by Muddin
to someone who has never heard of one? All I know is they lock the rear axle and it was from the factory, but I don't know how they lock etc.

Explain or describe? How about a time bomb waiting to blow when you add equal parts torque and large tires? Even in a 14 bolt they suck.................:roxy:

Go eat some corn and peanuts. Wait 24 hours and take a huge dump. Stand up and look in the toilet.

Bingo.............Gov-lock.

Then flush it down the drain where it belongs

The whole theory behind a gov loc is cool, a locker that maechanically locks itself when a tire slips. Drives like an open diff under normal conditions. When one tire spins 200rpm's faster thatn the other, the diff locks. Unfortunately, they suck though. It's pretty bad that they blow up with stock tires.

I would have the same explaination :ppoop:......mine blew apart behind a 305 with an auto.

Is that what chevy uses for a locking diff in 73 in a 14 bolt :question:

Well, to give a real answer for your question, a Gov-Loc has clutches, like a LSD that have a smal amount of preload but no springs. One side has a side gear that has cams on it. Both side gears have clock gears around them and they have a rod that goes across and has a two piece governor on it.

Here's what happens: One tire starts spinning. That means one side gear is turning. Because of this, the clock gears(that's what they look like) cause the governor to start turning. The halves of it "fling out". The sharp edge of one of the halves of the governor catches on a matching machined surface on a thrust block. This locks the tow side gears together because the governor can no longer spin. The cam teeth on the one side gear causes another piece to be cammed against the clutches on that side which takes some of the shock out of the sudden locking. It is supposed to stay locked up until you get off the gas and little springs cause the halves of the governor to come back together where they won't contact the thrust block. This may happen many many times while going over an obstacle or through mud. The pieces inside are very small and that is why they don't live very well with big tires or high torque.

There you have it, the most information ever typed about the Gov-Loc:D

The GovLoc aka Granade locker is not as horrible as most make it out to be. Most failures can be traced to 300lb right foot. The ones in the 14 are pretty strong but they can be granaded. With high miles and a lot of trail use the clutches wear and alow too much slip. Get one tire spinning about 100mph and it tries to engage and KA BOOM.
The three pins on the 14 is the easy way to identify one in a 14 since you will not be able to see the govonor assembly. The oners in 10's and 12's look almost like a stock Diff from one side but on the oposite side you can see the weight and gears in the govonor that actuate it.
The Lady's truck has one and it has held up fine to 32's and an easy right foot at Tellico in the Lady's 79. I will agree for a truck that see's a lot of trail use then scraping it is the thing to do. Detroit is best for trail but does effect road maners. Doubt you would ever have a problem with one.
Auburn LS is pretty good but not rebuildable and eventually will need to be replaced. On the street it would take a long while to wear out but beating it will take on the trail will acclerate the wear.

i have one in my semi floater (9.5") in a yota with dual cases
no problems yet just too much slip.

f/f axles have a gov-loc that looks alot like a detroit

semi 14 and smaller have gov-loc that looks alot mor like a open
carrier with a weight on one side this is what engages when slip happens

Has anyone tried to engage the locker permanantly ???

that is the ???

then you would not get the shock of 300rpm to 2rpm imediatly

it would be constant torque.........heance no gernade

Here's the explanation video :flipoff2:

http://www.traction.eaton.com/images/G80.mpg

Here's the reality pic (http://209.53.37.213/~u2slow/axle/traction/bustedgovlock.jpg)

If you plan on driving the family to the grocery store....run it. If you plan on using all 4 tires "pulling" throw it away and put a detroit in it.....I call the gov-Lok the "Retarded Detroit":p :D

GovLoc in a 12 bolt
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid22/p319efb75764422ba9444a8372797b485/fdac0c37.jpg

A gov grenade is a cross between a piece of shit and a bad Idea..... :flipoff2: possibly one of the worst things that the general ever installed in a motor vehicle......... with the 2.8 v-6 that I had in my s-10 running a close second... :D

the concept is a cool idea, its just poorly biult. the one in my truck works good for towing, so its fine for me. it is kind of noisy and seems to clunk alot. its nothing i would buy on purpose.

fukin POS, i have blown 4 with 35 inch sxs...they sul,,,run away....3 were in 12 bolts and 1 in a 14