Just swapped in an axle that had a locker previously installed (Powertrax no-slip). On its maden voyage (in my jeep anyway) I noticed a few things, and I want to make sure they are normal.

1. It doesn't seem to disengage at very low speeds, like backing out of a parking spot or so. Is that normal? I thought the point of a lunchbox locker is to disengage around corners.

2. The rear end is kinda loud around certain RPM's, but only when I'm on the gas. It doesn't sound like bad bearings, it's just loud. Is that normal for a locked axle? I filled it with a little over 2 quarts of 75-140 LS synthetic for light truck and SUV.

 

Lunchbox lockers are torque activated, so they won't disengage when you're on the gas(backing out of a parking spot). The as for the rear end being loud, what does it sound like? And just for future referance, you want to thick gear oil with a lunchbox, the thicker the better

 

Ok good to know, thank you.

Like I said, it doesn't sound like a bad bearing or anything, it just sounds loud. I would describe it as sounding "hollow"

 

Going down the road a locker shouldn't be making any noise. You may have a wheel bearing going bad.

 

the lunchbox lockers will lock up when their is power to them.... everytime. lettin g off the gas going around corners will allow them to disengage. this is the main reason i locked my 30 since i do so much street driving. it does not affect my road driving but in the woods it shows up....

 

what weight gear oil should u use with a locker then?

 

Whatever the diff calls for.

 

i would run 90

 

I read on another forum that for towing or moderate to heavy offroading to use 85w 140

 

Manual says this too. I would run a heavier and/or a synthetic oil in a locker regardless just due to the shearing forces between the two halves.

 

Hey well I started hearing and feeling a popping sound coming from under my jeep, and I feel like it may be a u joint since it has been squeaking for a while. I didn't think of the u joint initially because I thought the squeaking was coming from the pinion seal being broken on my old axle. The only thing is, I have all the symptoms of a bad u joint that is close to failure, but there is no play in the shaft. Is it possible it's still a u joint despite there being no play?

 

Yes you can have bearing issues in a U-joint without any noticeable play

 

I have the same Powertrax No-Slip in a C8.25 my buddy just gave me. I see the same as you. It seems to lockup and odd and unexpected times. My buddy had it for 1-2 years and he said that's how it acted since he installed it. I guess it's normal.

My understanding is these types of lockers are actually locked all the time and only unlock when the outside tire tries to over-run the slower inside tire. However I'm not certain about that.

 

Turns out it was the cup and ball in the rear drive shaft that was giving me hell. I'm off to the junk yard to grab another DS.