Today I pulled the rear detroit out of my rockwell, put the spider gears back in and welded it up.

I cannot say how much better the results are. Removing that detroit pretty much eliminated any of the play in the axle. I used to be able to take my driveshaft and turn it 1/4-1/2 a turn, there was that much play. With the welded rear, any movement in the driveshaft tries to move the tires, there is virtually no play, much much better.

Another benefit is how much better the pinion brakes work. I used to get lots of strange noises when braking and now they are virtually gone. If you've ever used the setup you know that if you're on the brakes, the vehicle can roll forward until all the slack in the driveline is taken up...since there isn't anymore slack in the rear it actually feels more like a normal braking setup.

Much much better.

CJ:usa:

sweet CJ, maybe i will consider a "spooled" rear from now on. I just filled in 4 teeth on one side gear, so the carrier can rotate about 1/4 turn before it locks up. This help it be a little more streetable, but it still drags around tight corners. I think the prob of play was due to the detroit, not the carrier. If you could turn the pinion without turning the wheels, then the detroit was fully unlocked on both sides, which is odd. But, hey, if it works better now, then good deal!

very cool. I was always curious about detroits and pinion brakes. detroits just have funky characteristics. spool = :D

are you happy running pinion brakes or are you always looking for more stopping power?

Please forgive the newbieQ's but I am new to the rockwell thing, and might be trading my 60 and 14 for them this winter. Im Doubler'ed so I have enough compression braking, but am really happy with the way my truck stops now with the disc'ed 14 in the rear and stock disc's on the 60.

Brook

Actually, the pinion brake has a rediculous amount of stopping power. Locks up 40's easily. The issues are that because of slop in the carrier, sometimes they are not as precise as wheel brakes. When balancing on a rock or ledge, sometimes that inch or two of free play can mean that you fall off of where you're at. Honestly, though i have wheeled it a few times, and it's not very bad. As with anything else, you just have to learn the vehicle and get a feel for it. That is the only solution, either way you go.

now I am understanding. I had never thought about that slop being a big issue before. One of my trucks has a 12 bolt with a detroit in its and it has the same slop.

Thanks

By the pic it looks like the hubs are still fliped out, is that correct? and will 15in. rims clear them?


Thanks,
Justin

I dont know what is wrong with your carrier CJ Lagos but I just got done re-building my 3rd members and re-setting the ring and pinion and mine I would say have less than 1/50 of a turn. You dont even hear the teeth engage unless you rock it back and forth and then you only have to twitch you hand to feel all the slack. This is with the detroit in and everything. You might want to check and see how your gears are set.:confused:

Question about spools... I have noticed with my rear ARB locked the rig has a tendancy to pull the back end down in off camber situations. Have you noticed this as well? In one particular instance it put me in a pretty nasty situation.

I run mine Lincoln Locked. I have a friend who went through 3 Detriots before Lincoln Locking his. The Detriots blew up ON BRAKING with pinion brakes. He has been welded up for 1yr now without a problem.

Originally posted by Explorer
Question about spools... I have noticed with my rear ARB locked the rig has a tendancy to pull the back end down in off camber situations. Have you noticed this as well? In one particular instance it put me in a pretty nasty situation.

My spool in my Toyota does that.

i am welding the rear and putting the detroit up front. so i hope the braking will be good. i will just go with some home made brakes, i am not sure what i am going to use yet have to check and see what i have laying around. mike

Originally posted by jeeper111
I dont know what is wrong with your carrier CJ Lagos but I just got done re-building my 3rd members and re-setting the ring and pinion and mine I would say have less than 1/50 of a turn. You dont even hear the teeth engage unless you rock it back and forth and then you only have to twitch you hand to feel all the slack. This is with the detroit in and everything. You might want to check and see how your gears are set.:confused:

Well your the first. My experience was the same as everyone else I have talked to with detroits, they all have the slop. Wait until you get everything in the truck and try again :P

CJ

I dont think that any of this would be a problem if you ran brakes on the hubs. Daniel makes a great set and I cant wait to get them on and try them out!