LockRite on it's Way Out??? Need Opinions - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

fj40bill · 05-08-2002, 11:19 AM

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

Any input greatly appreciated.

Bill C. in Florida

CRO · 05-08-2002, 12:13 PM

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...

cruiserman · 05-08-2002, 12:14 PM

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

SpaceGhost · 05-08-2002, 12:30 PM

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!

fj40bill · 05-08-2002, 04:05 PM

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...

wngrog · 05-08-2002, 07:58 PM

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!

fj40bill · 05-09-2002, 04:20 AM

Thanks Nolen,

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

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

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

dpaton · 05-09-2002, 09:22 AM

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

Dann

fj40bill · 05-09-2002, 10:49 AM

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...

dpaton · 05-09-2002, 12:05 PM

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

Dann

LCFJ40Wheeler · 05-09-2002, 02:45 PM

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.....

fj40bill · 05-10-2002, 04:17 AM

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

Dan, I will go to the USPS.

05-08-2002, 11:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
fj40bill Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4811 Location: Singer Island, Florida Posts: 153	LockRite on it's Way Out??? Need Opinions 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 Any input greatly appreciated. Bill C. in Florida

05-08-2002, 12:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
CRO Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7588 Location: Beautiful B.C. Canada Posts: 857	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... __________________ 1948 Willys 1952 M37CDN Powag

05-08-2002, 12:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
cruiserman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Member # 1527 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,034	I would pull the diff and take a look. No other way to tell. __________________ 80, '72 GMC, Odyssey

05-08-2002, 12:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
SpaceGhost Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Member # 1599 Location: Indianapolis, IN. Home of the Brickyard 400, Indy 500, and USGP! Posts: 1,557	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! __________________ Mike "SpaceGhost" Smythe R U gettin' it? UROC Team #180 running: BFG's 37" Krawlers, Gordon Beadlocks, HP60's, T-Max w/Blue Diamond Rope, Green Filters, Marlin's ToyBox, 3.8 Atlas II, and "I got the shaft from Jesse" but I couldn't have done without Badlands Machine Shop (765-762-2981)!

05-08-2002, 07:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
wngrog Moderating Midget Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1154 Location: Canton, MS Posts: 22,057 Blog Entries: 4	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! __________________ Nolen Grogan 1997 FZJ-80 Land Cruiser, 37's 2010 RZR-4 www.cottonlandcruisers.com www.rockmidgetphotography.com USAF Veteran 1988-1998 GOD Bless America

05-08-2002, 04:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
fj40bill Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4811 Location: Singer Island, Florida Posts: 153	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...

05-09-2002, 04:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
fj40bill Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4811 Location: Singer Island, Florida Posts: 153	Thanks Nolen, Found an extra set of pins and 3 spring pairs while packing my trail spares last night 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 Praying it's just the pins and no major damage...

05-09-2002, 09:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
dpaton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11442 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 16	Another possible worn component may be the side gear shims. When worn they cause similar symptoms. Dann __________________ '78 FJ40 - Wheeler (Chev-V6 4.3L, 2.5" Lift, 32s, EZLocker, 8274); '88 FJ62 - Beautiful (bone stock); '89 FJ62 - Wheeler (roll-over), 32s;

05-09-2002, 10:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
fj40bill Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4811 Location: Singer Island, Florida Posts: 153	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...

05-09-2002, 12:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
dpaton Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11442 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 16	Thanks Bill but USPS not UPS (please please please - brokerage fees!!) Dann __________________ '78 FJ40 - Wheeler (Chev-V6 4.3L, 2.5" Lift, 32s, EZLocker, 8274); '88 FJ62 - Beautiful (bone stock); '89 FJ62 - Wheeler (roll-over), 32s;

05-09-2002, 02:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
LCFJ40Wheeler Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Member # 8126 Location: Las Vegas, NV. Posts: 111	LockRite 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..... __________________ "If you're gonna do it, ATV!!" [URL=http://www.stormwaterprograms.com ]stormwaterprograms.com [/URL]

05-10-2002, 04:17 AM	#12 (permalink)
fj40bill Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4811 Location: Singer Island, Florida Posts: 153	Yeah, I can see a Detroit in the front in the near future... Dan, I will go to the USPS.

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