Ok, I am used to my detroit locker giving the odd bang once a day but I think I am having more of a problem now. Maybe this is a tell tail sign that it is on its way out. But first thing in the morning , especially when it is very cold ( minus 40 with the wind chill) the locker bangs or rachets constantly untill the rear end warms up. WTF? I am talking 30 or 40 times within a half mile.

Are the couplers worn out or is there parets that I can change? I don't wanna blow it apart!!!!!

sounds like your gear oil is too thick at those temps and not allowing it to slide properly. Try a lighter weight of gear oil and use sythetic to keep the protection that you need.

I will give that a try.

Thank you!!!

The bang is normal. Its a detroit theyll do that

At least when you change the oil ,you can check it for metal .

The bang is normal. Its a detroit theyll do that
reread my post. I said that the bang is normal, but what is not normal is that it is doing it 30 times in a city block!!!

yep, I'd also say it is the oil. Sounds like it's definatly related to the rear end warming up...and the oil would be what affects that

reread my post. I said that the bang is normal, but what is not normal is that it is doing it 30 times in a city block!!!

You said it was an odd bang once a day. So I figured you werent really sure if that was normal.

Ok, I am used to my detroit locker giving the odd bang once a day but I think I am having more of a problem now. Maybe this is a tell tail sign that it is on its way out. But first thing in the morning , especially when it is very cold ( minus 40 with the wind chill) the locker bangs or rachets constantly untill the rear end warms up. WTF? I am talking 30 or 40 times within a half mile.

Are the couplers worn out or is there parets that I can change? I don't wanna blow it apart!!!!!

I'm just guessing but that's pretty normal if you have a dana 35 with a Lunch Locker in it....

Have you checked your tire pressure yet?

I'm just guessing but that's pretty normal if you have a dana 35 with a Lunch Locker in it....


Actually it is a full detroit, and I pay alot of attention to tire Pressure. The normall bang and rachet is normal. The locker is 6 years old and this is the first time it has done this. I will try the sythetic route, but I am not sure I will be able to tell if it fixed it untill next year, unless we get another real cold snap again. Minus 30's and 40's for two straight weeks was killer :eek:

i am in fairbanks alaska , and its -47 this morning i am locked on both ends .

my yota was doing this alot . after checking the diff oil, it had water in it (synthetic mobil 1 75-90w ) i cleaned out the diff then refilled with new mobil 1 i had no more problems . i do get some bangs when i take off on a sharp corner when i 1st get moving in the a.m but otherwise goes back to normal

What does everyone else run for oil?

Yeha, I agree, it's fawked. Send it to me for inspection as to the reason it failed and I'll send you an open diff to prevent future banging and lockups. :flipoff2:

Seriously though, change to a lighter synth. lube, may need to use additive with the 6 yr old clutches.

so, after reading the posting I am trying to figure out what axle is the detroit loaded into? Are we talkinga 44, or a 14 bolt????

Mine did that once, with 3 week old 80w120 in it when it was -4* out. Hasn't since, but I'm careful to let it stir up a bit when it's very cold.
What axle? If mine ever gets rounded, I'll flip it in backwards (GM 14 bolt) then the weak side would only see reverse.