AMC-20 question

Hi all

I'm presently in NC for work, my dad is in Sherbrooke and he removed the cover on my AMC 20 and since we are looking to drop a Detroit EZ locker (that I'm going to get used from a friend), he is worried about a couple of things. I just want to check with you all if all is normal in my diff.

Here is , in his own word, what he saw when he opened up the diff :

-the vertical shaft is the shaft holding the pinions and we see the axle spacer, horizontal and right in the middle; the pinion shaft passes through the axle spacer hole.
-The first thing that caught my attention were the two c-clips, on the pinion shaft and right against each pinion inside end; instead of this shaft being held in place by cross pins at both ends.
I must presume that there will be no access to set the clips back in place with the easy lock in place.
-The other thing that worries me a bit is that the side gears back spacers are thick, there is a locking device to keep them from turning and there is definitely a friction between these spacers and the side gears; I had to use a screw driver to turn the side gears by one teeth increment; is it because there is a good amount of preload on these bearings?.


He wanted me to ask you if this was ok. I have a very bad pic here.

Thanks to all for your usual help and advice

 

What you are seeing is a trac-loc limited slip which is stock. IIRC the EZ locker will not work with the limited slip. You will need to change to an open case. The clips hold the pinion shaft in place as noted and the other little clips that should be in their hold the clutch packs in place. The thick spacers behind the side gears he's seeing are the clutch packs which have a pre-load on them to make them work properly. This is no relation to the bearings. The pic was very helpful! Nickmil

 

And how exactly works a Trac-Lok limited slip ?

What is the difference between this and a open differential ?


Thanks

Bob

 

I can't explain how one works, but a limited slip allows both tires to spin up to a certian amount of torque, of course this only works if the clutch packs arn't worn and it has the right limited slip additive in the gear oil.

 

You might do a search as this has been covered exhaustively on this site. You might also look at Randy's Ring and Pinion web site here:

http://www.diferentials.com/

Nickmil

 

100% Correct. I had a devil of a time finding an open carrier when I made the same swap to a E-Z Locker in 98. Good news is that the E-Z has held up great, no problems. Good luck finding the open carrier. Most people just toss 'em in the trash when upgrading to a new carrier. Also there are several sizes,they are specific as to size & ratio of your r&p gear set. I believe it is something like up to 3.55 and 3.93 & up.

 

No, the case break on the model 20 is 2.73 and everything else.