jeff0862

Just installed an aussie last night in my 99 with a 8.25. 31" tires, I bought it used and was told it only had 3000 miles on it. It looked new no wear on edges of teeth. I downloaded the instructions for the install from aussie. I put a new pin in it although the old one did'nt show any wear, I reused the thrust washers they looked fine also. everything was in specs, 15 thousands for pin, 162 thousands final gap.
I can here it ratchet when turning then it unloads after turn sometimes only 1 or 2 times some times 4 to 6 pops and I can feel the rear pull to the left or right depending on which side is popping into place, sometimes i'll come to a stop a a traffic light then when Im accelerating at close to 2000 rpm it will start popping as many as 8 times even though Im going strait down the road. Tires are same size any ideas on what the problem can be? I was thinking maybe weak springs they looked ok.

2KXJJEEP

3000 miles it's not broke in yet my buddy has aussie in front and rear for serval years now and they r very smooth. basically what im trying to say is that popping is normal until it get break in. But if u end up not liking it ill buy it from ya just let me kn lol

schirm

Is the locker broken in to the old carrier? Idk, just an idea. Is it even the right locker for your diff? Buying used lunchbox lockers is kinda risky. Are you sure of its history?

schirm

Did you spin test it before driving with it? The springs are not your problem. Its your pinion cross shaft that presses the cam gears to the axle gears. You say the measurements are within specs so I don't know what else can cause your problems. Try calling Torq Masters. They have great costumer service.

SpruceJedi

Costumer service?

Do I have to dress like a pirate while calling?

jeff0862

Hopefully it just needs to break in, don't know it's history I bought it off of a forum member can only go by what he advertised, I would think if it wasnt for my diff it would not have fit and been within specs. I'll drive it alittle more and see if it starts behaving better
Thanks for the info

schirm

Of course you do! Why even ask? Don't we all dress like pirates when we call them?

XJ Mayhem

Just curious... What's the average break-in time/distance for a locker?

schirm

If memory serves I think the aussie has a 200 mile break in period. But there shouldn't be any popping noise coming from the locker when going in a straight line at any time, even during break in. If 100% of the torque isn't going to both axle shafts then the traction device is malfunctioning. But its hard as heck to diagnose sounds in a blog forum. Are we even sure it's the locker making the noise? If it is then I'd rip it out and call the manufacturer. The OP might be having problems with the carrier, breaks or ring and pinion and not the locker parts themselves.

2KXJJEEP

it took my buddys alot longer then 200 miles to break in it took about a whole summer of wheelin

93XJLI

never heard of a break in period for a locker. something isnt right.

Slimgoaty

Mine does the same thing on turns, that's the nature of the locker. As long as it doesn't make any noise in a straight line it should be fine. I've had mine about two weeks and about 600 miles and I'm not sure I can really tell a difference since install but it's not overly loud. I used 80w140 gear oil. Also don't apply to much power in turns. After a week or two you won't even notice it except in the Walmart parking lot when you get Wierd looks like your jeep is going to blow up :-)

I'd be more worried if it was not ratcheting :-)

OleBlue

by unloading do u mean, hear a loud pop and the jeep skips to the left a bit? If so either something wrong with the locker or its out of spec. That should never happen. Maybe the springs are worn or the pin isnt bolted in?

If u continue to drive it like that it will wear out the teeth very fast and you are stuck with a useless locker.

PUNISHER

I am getting ready to do this to my 8.25 and I believe I read somewhere that you do not use the washers. Is this correct? I have the locker in my garage and the axle on saw horses at the moment and I honestly haven't read the directions so it may be best for me to read before I chimed in. I am in the process of doing the disc brake swap so I put the locker on hold until I get all that squared away!

schirm

No that's not correct. You're thinking of the spartan lockers.