Aussie locker thoughts?

[Kejtar]

OK.... I know that Chuck was putting one in and I remember some posts by others, and amongst them there was someone who was asking for help with installing front one (some Q's or something like that)... anyways, that's been abotu a month or so prior to Moab, so hopefully you guys have had some chance to use them already.... any thoughts??? comments??? how do they handle on the trail? How do they handle on the street??? Come on.. give us the scoop! :D

Thanks

[ChuckD]

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11073&highlight=Aussie

If ya just did a search Remi, :D

[Kejtar]

Originally posted by XJCHUCK72
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11073&highlight=Aussie

If ya just did a search Remi, :D

Thanks Chuck :D I read that post before already that's why I kne about the other install :).... so now after yet another month, any further thoughts on it?? and what about the rest ?? I'm especially curious about the one that was going into the front :D

[wadea7]

I've got one up front and really don't notice it on the road.. I'll be taking it out into the Texas hill country this weekend and will let you know how it performs offroad. I'm not locked in the rear yet (27 8.25) because I don't want to invest in this axle if I'm going to replace it. I've thought about putting in 29 splines and going from there, but I can't seem to make up my mind.. Maybe I'll know more after ths weekend..

Wade
2001 Cherokee Classic
1991 Cherokee Laredo

[Bender]

I just installed one in my Dana 30 last weekend. Install is super easy...almost identical to a lockright but the springs go in easier.

I'll be testing it out this upcoming weekend so I'll give a little feedback next week. So far on the street with my dicso style front axle it has been fine.

[cherokeekid95]

i know a guy who has one front and rear and loves them! Hes conviced me to get one. Though they not comin out with an 8.25 27 spline till feb-march:rolleyes:

[ChuckD]

Remi, everything is the same as the previous post. It works like it says it should. It's better than my lock-right, but the clicks are a bit louder around turns. For $200 it's worth it, unless you can find a used lock-right for under $200 then go with the lock-right. All I can say I think it's better than welding or running a spool, especially since mine is a daily driver.

Goodluck, I think the AussieLocker special price may be ending soon.

[Kejtar]

cool... I can't wait for an update then :)

[ChuckD]

MarkF sent me a message about the clicking. He said Aussie says that there should not be any clicking. I'll email them with the same problem and see what they reply with. So far as I can tell it works, I'll get it in 4low on Saturday.

[Kejtar]

ok, let me know what you find out about the clicking and most importantly how you like it on the trail

[ChuckD]

----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Cole
To: Chuck Dutkevitch
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 5:55 PM
Subject: Re: D44, XJ, Jeep Cherokee-Aussie Locker-Clicks


There is nothing wrong with a locker that clicks in turns, as this is what they were designed to do. The click is when the axle gear and the cam gear on the outside wheel in the turn rotate over each other. The locker then automatically relocks when the tires are going at the same speed. We have noted that some vehicles will make more noise than others, with the same diff and locker. Often these differences are due to tolerances in the diff that, while meeting the installation specification, allow the locker to make more noise. Other times it is the vehicle itself and anything from loose fittings on body parts, poorly fitting springs, and lift kits can increase the clicking sound from one vehicle to another. The Aussie Locker has been reported by the vast majority of the customers to be quieter than the competition, but they all do click in the turn. We appreciate your purchase of the Aussie Locker and thank you for writing to us.


----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck Dutkevitch
To: engineering@offroadlockers.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 5:59 PM
Subject: D44, XJ, Jeep Cherokee-Aussie Locker-Clicks


I was told by another member of www.naxja.org that the Aussie locker is not supposed to click while going through turns. I had installed mine about 1 month ago and it has clicked since the first day. It totally engages and disengages when it is suppose to, and otherwise am pleased with it's performance so far. It is smoother than my Lock-right which I had in a D35, but the clicking sound is noticeably louder. Is something wrong with the locker? If so, please send me a new one right away.


I think the Locker is fine, as far as the trail goes, it locks when I'm going straight. I doubt it will be any different than my Lock-right, but I'll let you know if it blows up on me. :eek:

[GI-John]

This sounds like a newbie question, but I'm gonna ask it anyway. Related to the Aussie Locker anyway..

Would there be a problem with running it w/ a NP242? I understand that you can "disconnect" the 231, but the 242 is always connected. I'd rather not grenade the TC

Thanks

John

[Spooky]

As long as you don't use full time on the street ya won't have any problems. Aussie locker sites excesive driveline windup as the problem with full time on the street. I never use full time anyway.

I love mine so far but I 've only played in the mud with it. I'm takin it to Arkansas next weekend and then to Gilmer the weekend after to give it a real test.

[cherokeekid95]

Back to the clicking bit. They state that it clicks in their product description on the website. I don't know who told you it shouldn't. Aussie just claims that its the quietest clicker compared to others. I am glad Bill could clear that up for you.

[ChuckD]

I know it clicks and this is normally how they operate. I have owned a Lock-Right.

MarkF sent me a message backchannel about Aussie was going to replace his because the clicking was too loud, Aussie said there may be clicking but it should not very noticable. Well the clicks from mine are very noticable, and much louder than my Lock-Right I had. They was enough concerned for Aussie to ship MarkF another locker and told him to remove his for fear of greater damage. Well this concerned me, so I emailed Aussie and posted their response.

I'm bascically trying to help my NAXJA brothers/sisters out, if I get a report of a failure or a defect, I'm going to check it out and share it.

Like I said at the bottom of my message. I feel the locker is working properly and I should not have a problem with it. I will test it out plenty well this Saturday. :)

[Bent]

Originally posted by Kejtar
ok, let me know what you find out about the clicking and most importantly how you like it on the trail

For a mere $199.99 Remi, I'll send you monthly reports for a full week! Heck, I'd even let ya ride along on a run and then I'd even let you type up the report to you! Such a deal!:D

Next weeks special is only $349.98 for BOTH !:angel:

[MarkF]

I wanted to keep this back channel but since it is out there I need to clarify a bit. Firstly Aussie has been great with customer service, and we are trying to work this out.

I received probably one of the first few shipments of the D44 locker. I installed it in my axle w/o any problems but we did not measure the clearances per the instructions. I drove it and the clicking or ratcheting as I refer to it was abnormally loud. I drove it home like this and sent Aussie an e-mail which was promptly answered advising me to check the measurements. They even sent me a new spring pack so that I'd have fresh springs for the reinstall. In the meantime I sent Aussie pictures of the locked carrier installed and they advised me that based on the pictures it looked too tight. I ordered new washers and a new cross-shaft just to be safe, b/c my original install reused both. I measured and sure enough, I was out of spec. Here is where it gets weird. I was with my buddy who happened to have 2 other D44 carriers and we installed it in both of those carriers and it measure out of spec on all 3 carriers. What are the odds of that? That was why Aussie is sending me another D44 locker to make sure the one I originally received was a D44 and not mislabled. They did advise me to remove the locker until we figure this out.

They were very supportive and even had one of their tech guys call my buddy that helped with the install and has done many installs and regearing. I can't even count how many e-mail went back and forth about this issue. I really must commend them on their customer service. That alone would justify paying more than the price of a lockright.

One other possibility is that there is something else causing the problem, one of the suggestions was the pinion clearance, which I haven't had time to check yet. Or worst case scenario I have a tweaked axle. What prompted me to write Chuck was that he mentioned that his was noisy and that got me thinking that maybe I was over-reacting to the noises I was hearing.

Originally posted by XJCHUCK72
I know it clicks and this is normally how they operate. I have owned a Lock-Right.

MarkF sent me a message backchannel about Aussie was going to replace his because the clicking was too loud, Aussie said there may be clicking but it should not very noticable. Well the clicks from mine are very noticable, and much louder than my Lock-Right I had. They was enough concerned for Aussie to ship MarkF another locker and told him to remove his for fear of greater damage. Well this concerned me, so I emailed Aussie and posted their response.

I'm bascically trying to help my NAXJA brothers/sisters out, if I get a report of a failure or a defect, I'm going to check it out and share it.

Like I said at the bottom of my message. I feel the locker is working properly and I should not have a problem with it. I will test it out plenty well this Saturday. :)

[bburge]

Originally posted by wadea7
I'm not locked in the rear yet (27 8.25) because I don't want to invest in this axle if I'm going to replace it. I've thought about putting in 29 splines and going from there, but I can't seem to make up my mind.. Maybe I'll know more after ths weekend..

Wade
2001 Cherokee Classic
1991 Cherokee Laredo

If you try and put 29 spline axles into a 8.25 currently running 27 spline axles, you will need to swap out the carrier as well as the axles. They are different.

You will also not have your old spider gears to fall back on if the locker fails on the trail.

I've done this. I bought Dutchman 29 spline axles and a 29 spline NoSlip, thinking "Cool! i'll be 29 spline!" and found out AFTER the new ring and pinion install, that (next install session) the axles wouldn't enter the carrier far enough. $200 dollars added to the install as well as the labor cost of reinstalling the ring gear and readjusting the backlash.

I was not pleased.

Still worked great in Moab! :clap:

Still would have liked to have had backup spiders! :nosmile:

bburge