socalxj

So i installed a spartan locker in my D30 front axle yesterday and pops bad every time i turn left it jerks the whee im running a np231. Can any one help with this thanks in advance

89eliminator

is it doing it in 2wheel drive and 4wheel drive?

socalxj

yes it does in 2wd and 4wd

Slick761

That's the breaks of it.... if you install ANY locker in the front axle without locking hubs its going to effect your handling, POP and ratchet. You can.get away with.it if you hqve the cad but imo its not that safe.

xjmarc

Did you reuse the thrust washers, on all other lunch box lockers you do but Spartans don't and it'll make it too tight. This makes it harder to unlock and ratchet. I have one in mine and don't notice it in 2wd other than the occasional popping in sharp turns.

Demolition_x

I have a spartan in my D30 and I cannot hear it at all. Some times very rare maybe 2 times since I installed it I heard the tires scrub but never a pop.

Did you test out the locker before you closed up the diff as it tells you to in the instructions?

Slick761

Is everyone running non discos? My experience with Detroit is that hey lock pretty tight and can be a little unpredictable in front ends without locking hubs.

retread

slick has it, 2 or 4 as long as the axles turn it'll do its job, under power or not

j-rod

sounds like it is stuck "locked"
my lockrite is doing that right now...due to bad pins/springs. I got new parts to install but no time.

billulsund

^ This is probably the correct answer. I recently helped a friend install one in his D30 and we had the exact same problem. You do not need to use the thrust washers. They make the locker so tight that it has difficulty expanding enough so that it can rachet as you take a corner. It will pop and jerk when you take a corner just like you described. With a properly installed lunchbox locker you should not be able to feel it at all when in 2wd. All you should notice is a slight clicking sound as you take a corner.

socalxj

we did not use the thrust washers

Lyon

Just curious to know if the OP got to the root of the problem.
My Spartan pops once in a while, you never know if it's coming. You can take the same turn 10 times and it will only do it once or twice. And this had been since it was brand new.
I've had the diff cover off to change the fluid, change seals ect... I've had it up in the air and turned the tires by hand and and could make it "pop" the teeth on the gears of the locker are so sharp that sometimes they catch. I haven't figured out why it happens yet though. I agree with the spring theory but this one did it new from factory. When I had the cover open I checked the movement of the locker and checked clearance to make sure the springs were all even. No problems there. From what I have found is even tire air pressure makes a HUGE difference. I also notice that when I am aired down it's worse (just tried it at Rausch) I think part of it is due to the fact you can turn the tires on the front axle and that there is slight axle travel in and out as the axle turns. I almost want to say that while turning, you have one tire rolling foward and one rolling oh so slightly backwards (almost like a tank tracks), combine that with axle movement and the movement of being in gear it MAY cause this. I plan on experimenting with this more this week. It's just weird how it doesn't happen on all Jeeps. Gear oil level is also very important. It seems these lockers like extra capacity of oil. It's almost like they get a "dry start" so to speak. I plan on trying Lucas oil stabalizer in it to keep the top of the locker gear lubed at all times. I normally don't like "fixes" in a bottle, but Lucas is the only additive I've ever had luck with over the years. When I get time to check, I will post my results.

Bigbert

I am having the same issue. just put Spartan lockers front and rear. Some days never hear it. other times sounds like it hangs and pops lose. only has about 400 miles on the install and it will do it in 4 wheel or 2. I just moved so I have not had time to pull the cover off and check. and just like others you never know when it is going to do it.

Mike1114

Everyone this is normal.

The issue is that when you turn, most of the time you are not accelerating so the locker disengages, and clickity clacks just like it should. SOMETIMES, when you are turning you are also giving it gas, this is enough torque to make the front locker attempt to "LOCK" together and this is when you get the loud POP you don't always get doing the same turn....

Its just the behavior of a lunchbox locker. I love it!!! Just learn the behavior and drive accordingly.