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Problems with my lock right

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Xavi_4Wheeler, Oct 26, 2008.

  1. Oct 26, 2008
    Xavi_4Wheeler

    Xavi_4Wheeler Diesel like a tractor

    Barcelona (Spain)
    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Messages:
    75
    Hi guys!

    I'm disappointed with the rear lock right when I drive the jeep by road. Almost whenever I accelerate the jeep it sight sway to the left and when i take off the gas quickly the car sight sway to the right.

    This effect makes the car really unsafe to drive when I drive it in narrow roads with curves that predominate in my zone.

    Can I do something to mitigate this effect? Is my locker wrong installed? Can I find any other kind of locker that doesn't interfere in the driving by road? If I install a powetrax will I feel a better driving by road? Is the powertrax a real solution to the rear backlash? How much is the price?

    All solutions, ideas and commentaries are welcome.

    thanks Xavier
     
  2. Oct 26, 2008
    mikieboy

    mikieboy Member

    Jacksonville, FL
    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2005
    Messages:
    155
    I had a detroit locker that would do the same. Finally figured it out. Both tires had to have equal presure, if one was lower than the other, it would pull or shift to that side when you accelerated and to the other side when you let off gas.
     
  3. Oct 26, 2008
    neptco19

    neptco19 That guy....

    Athens, GA
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2003
    Messages:
    1,381
    About your only other option to avoid the locker engagement sway would be to put a selectable in like an ARB or OX.
     
  4. Oct 26, 2008
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    X2 on the tire pressure. When I first put my rear lock-rite in it would shift badly on accel/decel with the tires aired down. Once I aired the swampers back up to ~28 PSI all was well again.
     
  5. Oct 26, 2008
    Xavi_4Wheeler

    Xavi_4Wheeler Diesel like a tractor

    Barcelona (Spain)
    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Messages:
    75
    Initially I thought the problem will be the tire pressure, but after check it and raise the pressure the problem still continues. Some times accel/deccel. correctly but most of the times the car makes backlash.

    I remember that when I installed the locker and tried to put the pinion shaft it entered strong so I think the thrust washers are too thick.... but the tolerance between the drivers is the correct as indicate the builder. Can come from here the problem?
     
  6. Oct 26, 2008
    Xavi_4Wheeler

    Xavi_4Wheeler Diesel like a tractor

    Barcelona (Spain)
    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Messages:
    75

    In all my other YJ's and L.R. Defenders I have had always I have used ARB lockers and always OK.
    I only have found the Richmond lockers for the Dana 44 19 splines, where can I find a OX or an ARB for this diff. ?
     
  7. Oct 26, 2008
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2006
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    1,929
    I'm not real sure I underestand what the exact symptoms are and I don't understand what you mean by backlash in this context, but it sounds like it's just normal locker operation. AS stated above, verify the tire pressure. But with a locker, when you ge on the gas the jeep will pull to the right, and when you get off the gas, the pulling stops. When it gets real fun is if you get into ice or slick wet roads. Then you might not get enough torque to unlock the locker and both tires will turn at the same speed. Then the fun begins when the rear end of the jeep wants to trade places with the front end.

    Be careful until you have some experience driving it.
     
  8. Oct 26, 2008
    Desert Runner

    Desert Runner Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hickory, Pa
    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    806
    Normal

    I have the lock right

    I want to go the the torsen style limited slip, like the Detroit Truetrac. But I don't know if this does the same or not???

    Jay
     
  9. Oct 26, 2008
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2002
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    2,361
    Normal

    My Detroit does the same thing. It helps to have good thight steering. I just put in new spring bushings in the front. That helped reduced the torque steer.
     
  10. Oct 26, 2008
    cj6/442

    cj6/442 Sponsor

    Fallbrook, Calif
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2008
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    2,734
    this is normal, a spool/detroit would be the same thing and a powertrax is the same thing as a lock-rite and backlash has kind of nothing to do with it. my 442 does it on a smaller scale. it's just amplified 'cause of the soft suspention /tires and the jeep is taller. just get used to it and be carefull on wet roads and snow as stated .
     
  11. Oct 26, 2008
    jeeper50

    jeeper50 jeeps 'till I die

    Spanish Fort. AL
    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2007
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    844
    I've had the same road manners on my lockright willys, check your spring eye bushings for wear. Forward end of the rear springs in particular, if they're worn they will allow your axle to change position in relation to your frame and lots of wear can cause the effect your talking about. I had the old style rubber bushings and they were trashed. I put the poly bushings in my spring eyes and they helped but the lockright does affect road manners due to the loading and unloading of the locker.
     
  12. Oct 27, 2008
    Xavi_4Wheeler

    Xavi_4Wheeler Diesel like a tractor

    Barcelona (Spain)
    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Messages:
    75
    Thanks to all for your answers. Always I have used ARB lockers and it is the first time that I use the automatic one.

    The spring eye bushings are also OK ,and have less than 2000 miles.

    Today I have been driving the Willys to work and also I have raised the tire pressure up to ~2Bars (~30psi) and maybe drives a little better....

    I have at home a YJ springs to install with polyurethane bushings, with these wider springs can I feel an improvement with the sway produced by the lock right?

    I have a buddy who wants to buy a locker and I can sell mine to him. It is worth changing the lock right to a synchronized powertrax, or scarcely I will notice improvement in the driving on road?

    Thanks for your answers and sorry for my poor english.
     
  13. Oct 27, 2008
    cj6/442

    cj6/442 Sponsor

    Fallbrook, Calif
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    Feb 6, 2008
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    please correct me if I'm wrong ,guys but I think lockrite and powertrax are the same.
     
  14. Oct 27, 2008
    Homebrew2

    Homebrew2 Member

    Dunlap, CA
    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2007
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    511
    Powertrax = mfg, Lock right = model. They have other models, AFAIK.

    This thread is good info. My neighbor put a LR in his Samuri with 32" tires and spring over ... absolutely no prob with road manners. I didn't believe it when I rode in it. Now I guess he's just lucky and I'm rethinking a LR. :(
     
  15. Oct 27, 2008
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    People report that the lock-rite will unload suddenly in a tight turn and make a gawd-awful BANG! but I've only had mine do this once. The biggest things I find with my lock-rite is the habit of dragging one tire around a tight turn on hard pavement, and of course being a bit squirrelly on slippery pavement in the rain, but this will happen with any locker unless it is of the selectable type. I've learned to live with the quirks, and the off-road benefit outweighs the shortcomings IMHO.
     
  16. Oct 28, 2008
    wendell

    wendell Member

    ohio
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2008
    Messages:
    54
    I'v allways used the detroit tru-trc lsd, it's gear driven and requires no modifires. It has great street manors and pulls like a tank off road. even if you get a wheel lifted, you can appliy a little brake presure, this forces the wheels to pull together.
     
  17. Oct 28, 2008
    Xavi_4Wheeler

    Xavi_4Wheeler Diesel like a tractor

    Barcelona (Spain)
    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Messages:
    75
    Thanks again for your help. I'm calmer knowing that is normal that this locker works this way.

    I believe that I am the problem because I'm very meticulous and a perfectionist with the functioning of my cars:D:D


    cj5/442 Re: Problems with my lock right

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    please correct me if I'm wrong ,guys but I think lockrite and powertrax are the same.


    cj5/442 I believe that is essentially the same locker but the couplers and drivers are synchronized and the builder says that rear sways produced by the locker are less; maybe it's only marketing...

    the lock right http://www.powertrax.com/powertrax/lockright.html
    the powertrax http://www.powertrax.com/powertrax/noslip.html
     
  18. Oct 28, 2008
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
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    3,437
    I ran lock rights in the '71 for 10 years. I would occasionally notice the sway when shifting or on accel/decel.
    Got the loud BANG! unloading a few times too.
    As the instructions state... this is normal.
    If you keep driving it, you will adjust to it. You will learn to anticipate the sway, and you will eventually feel normal driving it.

    If I was buying a locker today for a combination trail/street rig, I would buy the Detroit Tru-Trac.
    I don't know if that is available for the 19 spline axle?
     
  19. Oct 28, 2008
    wendell

    wendell Member

    ohio
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2008
    Messages:
    54
    I got the torsion lsd on my 09 ranger FX4, it operates just like the tru-trac. It really makes a difference in the truck compared to the old clutch style track loc ford used. It grabs and goes, great on the road. Just a little tire chirp once in a while if you power out of a turn, awesome unit's. If I was doing a weekend warrior only, I would go with the detroit locker for it's strength.
     
  20. Nov 23, 2008
    Xavi_4Wheeler

    Xavi_4Wheeler Diesel like a tractor

    Barcelona (Spain)
    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2008
    Messages:
    75
    Hi guys!
    I have good notices, miraculously the locker now works great on road, even with medium-low pressure on tires. I ran it for 600 miles aprox. and now i can't notice the sway when accel/decel. ;only occasionally and less than before.

    I don't know why, because I haven't done anything to the jeep and isn't a subjective opinion caused because I'm adapted to the new road manner with the locker.
     
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