help locker help needed

[brad091703]

okay, my friend has a 90 r so cherokee with the 35 in the rear , he has a ratchet type locker. and it pops real loud when the car is going straight. let me know if it should do this

[guidolyons]

nope. It should stay locked while driving straight, but it may click or ratchet in turns as it unlocks. I'd be pulling the diff cover off and take a look ASAP before it really messes it up.

[Toolbox]

may have a bent axle housing, or too much gap between the side gears

[grljeeper]

Check tire size/height/pressure side to side--if that is all ok then the above two suggestions.

[Chato]

This is a very common occurrence. According to the Lock Rite installation manual there are 3 possible reasons for this happening:
1. Different size tires (or tires inflated differently)
2. Foreign material in the case
3. Bent axle tubes or shafts

Even though it says the above and it is correctly installed, it sometimes may happen anyway. This usually happens with tires larger than 32 inches but funny thing is that it sometimes doesn't happen at all in some vehicles.
What's the solution? Install a Detroit.

[CJim7]

One thing you havent made clear: Is it popping several times (engageing/disengageing) during a straight stretch of driving? If it is, see posts above. If not, read on:

Occasionally, mine will do this during the first shift of the tranny on a straight stretch. Once the torque is applied, the locker will engage. If the splines arent lined up during engagement, it will give off a nice pop as the drivers and couplers engage. This is normal. My Lockright is about 6 years installed now, and it did it from the begining, and continues today. All parts are within specs, and the axle is in perfect condition.