detroit locker failures?
 

my Detroit locker failed and i am curious if that is common? I thought it was my axle that broke but turns out its the locker. little bits of teeth came out when i drained the oil.

What axle is it in? Detroits are generally the strongest lockers you can get but anything can fail. I have heard of them failing more often in Dana 30 and 35s because the housing stretches to much under load.

its in a D35 with 30 spline shafts. when it failed i was on a steep incline with the weight to the rear drivers side. I started to apply the gas (automatic) and it popped. i was not bouncing, axle sitting on a rock, or anything like that. when it gave way i thought it was the axle.

If it was me I would get rid of that Dana 35 and get a Dana 44 or Ford 8.8. Even when upgraded with a better carrier and bigger shafts the Dana 35 housing and axle tubes are weak and will stretch under load which is probably why your locker failed.

i am in the process of swapping out to an 8.8 with an artec truss.

Agreed. Nothing you can do will make this axle better. Shine a turd and all you have is a shiny turd.

Never waste money on a D35, simple as that. You can upgrade the shafts but that weak housing can't handle being abused.