Installed front and rear Detroit Truetracs in my 99' (D30 front, 8.25 rear). The rear is dead quiet, but the front has a squeak in low speed turns, under 20 mph both turning right and left, on dirt or pavement. It is soft, and sounds like a rubber squeegee on wet glass. As soon as I get going straight it goes away. The only thing that went in on this mod is the Truetracs and ARB covers.

Anybody else out there seen/heard this out of the Dana 30's? After about a dozen or so calls to Eaton tech support they finally decided to answer a phone and essentially told me that there are four Truetrac models that come with preload, the D30 being one of them, and that it is no big deal...though they had no notes on it. The entire conversation lasted about ten minutes and had my bull**** meter going off repeatedly.

Thanks in advance,

- J

 

This is what I found on their site. Just says they need time to "seat" http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsS...Differentials/

 

Yeah, I saw that as well. I covered that bit with Eaton, the reference is related to "performance" not atypical noise. When I asked them about break in time, noise reduction, the response was evasive but left me with the impression that it would not diminish.
I'm going to put ~1500 miles on it in the next month. Assuming it stays the same, it'll go back for warranty since I've found nobody else out there (yet) in any jeep forum that says theirs is anything but silent.

 

I have Truetracs front and rear and mine have been quiet since day one. You'd never know they're there.

 

Thanks, much appreciated. I've not heard too much of wonderful about the Eaton warranty people and/or process. But its looking like the front is going back once I get back from my next trip, so I guess I'm going to find out.

 

Does it work? Is it noticeable with the windows up or do you really have to try and hear it?

 

It works as advertised, no problems there...goes like madness in the sand. No straining necessary to hear it windows up or down, it's not subtle.

I had another conversation with Eaton tech support this morning and was given assurances that the noise is not detrimental to the performance or lifespan of the unit. (Just really, really annoying) I'm running Napa Premium 85-90 (made by Valvoline) which tech support said is probably the issue. Changing to Mobile or Shell as suggested by Eaton tech support later today and see what happens. They said that for some reason the Truetracs do not like Valvoline/Napa oils...don't know if thats true or not but its an quick/easy job since I have ARB covers, so I'm willing to give it a try.

 

Put some molasses in it, that'll quite it up nicely.

 

With the Castrol 85w-140 in, I went for a 30 min drive...and its about 98% quieter. Encouraging so far, if I make it through my seven hour desert trip this weekend with the same results I'm gonna call this one closed.
Now it is quite possible that the issue was the change in oil weight, and not the brand/quality of oil. Won't know the answer to that question until the fall when I switch back to 85w-90 for the cold months.

 

600 miles of NM & Az up to 9000' and 100 degree temps, mix of forest roads and highway. With the Castrol 85w-140 in the differential its...quiet. I got a couple suuuper soft chirps near the continental divide but they we so light that unless you were really paying attention they would have gone unnoticed.

So of the four Truetracs that come with preload (Dana 30 is one of the four) they may be more or less sensitive to the oil brand/viscosity than Eaton advertises.

a) According to Eaton, Valvoline/Napa bad, Castrol, Shell, Mobile good. Unsure about how much viscosity contributed to the squeaking but I'll be better able to answer that question when I switch back to 85w-90 for the winter.

This solution took many phone calls to friends, Eaton tech support, postings on multiple XJ web forums and about four weeks to sort out. Thanks for all the input.

 

Glad you got it worked out. I'll add that I installed TTs front and rear about 18 months ago w/ 80/90 and have never heard a peep in 2H or 4H/L.

They work fantastic!