Ok. Moved the lock rite from the rear to the front a few months back and everything worked fine till I fragged a hub climbing a sand hill. Now I get an awful clunking noise (vrs. the ratcheting it used to make in the rear) sometimes not so bad, others - well. It's not that noticeable when the hubs are locked in and 4WD is engaged (power applied); but it's downright nasty when the hubs are locked and I'm in 2WD (no power). I know the lock rite should make some noise when no power is applied, but this is a little bit louder and clunks? Normal metallic greyish material on drainplug magnet - even ran a magnet on a stick thru the drain/fill holes and nothing unusual came out.

I'm almost totally deaf (literally) so I've had a few friends listen and they all agree it's coming from the diff. and it's not a birfield.

Is the lock rite possibly slowly losing it's teeth thru wear, or is this something more sinister?

Leaving for SC and NC Friday for 9 days of wheeling. Should I just run it till it quits working, or should I put the spiders back in know?

Sorry so long :flipoff2: Any input greatly appreciated.

Bill C. in Florida

Sounds like you have broken at least one of the 'pins' that hold the couplers in alignment...
I would pull it out and check them before you have a little piece of the broken pin chewing up the R+P or the bearings...

FYI you can make new "pins" out of a couple of correct size drill bits... just cut them out of the part that normally would be put in the chuck...

I would pull the diff and take a look. No other way to tell.

If needed the replacement springs and drive pins are available directly from PowerTrax. The sent me sets for both front and rear, No Charge when I called and asked about them. Got them surprisingly quick too, Thumbs up for their Customer Service!

Thanks for the feedback. Never thought about the pins breaking. I'll pull everything and check - may have to wait until Saturday when I get to SC as I'm out of time with work and family...

Sounds EXACTLY like a broken pin. Been there, done that!

A guy in our club got a spring kit for free from 4WPH when he went in and asked to buy a set.

If you have one in your area, you may want to try it.

Don't go to Tellico without a front Locker!!

Have fun!

Thanks Nolen,

Found an extra set of pins and 3 spring pairs while packing my trail spares last night :D

I just spent the last 2 weeks finishing my roll cage (till 4am one night), the prior few months doing the SM420, last year I added ps and 16/35 Boggers, plus I had to skip GSMTR 2001, so the damm lock rite (front) better work :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Praying it's just the pins and no major damage...

Another possible worn component may be the side gear shims. When worn they cause similar symptoms. :(

Dann

Hey Dan,

I'll drop off the d-ring and hooks at UPS tomorrow at noon, per your e-mail. At this point, the parts are free just reimburse shipping since it's taken so long.

As to the thrust washers (shims), they were well within tolerances just a short while ago so I can't imagine they've worn that much. I've got a few spare sets of different sizes in my spare box just in case...

Thanks Bill but USPS not UPS (please please please - brokerage fees!!)

Dann

I had a LockRite, It broke. The pins basically became shavings, chewing up the side gears as well. I had it for maybe 6 to 8 months. With the help of a friend, I even tried making a spool out of it. Like anything else it just depends on how hard you're thrashing it. Personally, I saved and paid the extra money for Detroits. Good luck.....



:usa:

Yeah, I can see a Detroit in the front in the near future...

Dan, I will go to the USPS.