NotMatt
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Wenatchee, WA
Alright, I know lockrights are supposed to make some noise, but mine is making A LOT of noise, and is not locking up properly. It worked great all day on Sunday going UP the trail, then coming back down when I did a lot of engine braking, it suddenly started unloading very noisily at random, basically a loud bang/pop and the rig would jerk a bit to the right (it's the driver's side coupler that seems to be unloading). After taking a break for lunch, we headed up another trail and as we were starting up, I noticed that when in 4wd, I could turn the wheel left and the locker would BANG and unlock... but not when I turned right. At this point, I was pissed, but not as pissed as I was when I realized that when I got to a point where I needed the locker, all it did was ratchet the driver's side wheel while the passenger side spun wildly.
Background and setup info: This is in a front wagoneer D44 with drive slugs and 5.13 gears. I'm running 32" tires right now because I can't afford the 35's I want to get, but both are the same diameter and pressure. I did the R&P setup myself, and my pattern is perfect and the backlash is at .007". The carrier is a new one, not used (unless it was hot tanked before I bought it).
What I've done: I tore it all down yesterday, removed the carrier, removed the lockright, inspected all the couplers and spacers and used the lockright installation manual as a reference to check the clearances they show in there. While I had it apart, I noticed that the driver's side clearance between the spacers and cross shaft was a little wider than the passenger side, so I added a very thin shim between the thrust washer (YES, the thrust washers are installed) and the coupler on that side, and now the clearances are with in .003". This is basically a brand new lockright, so all the ratchetting teeth are in good shape, it's not an old worn out lockright (if it was, I would just throw it away and buy a detroit). All the springs are in place and in good shape, no broken pins.
What the heck else could be going on here? I'm seriously at my wit's end with this thing, I was so furious last night after I put it all back together and it did the same thing as before that I just parked the rig and decided not to even touch it until this weekend, but it's just killing me, I've gotta know what's going on, because if I can't fix it I'm just going to bust out the CC and order a detroit.
Anybody got any ideas? Where should the "spacer to cross shaft" clearance measurement be taken... on the flat part of the cross shaft or the round part? Should I just take it apart and keep adding shims until it locks up and works properly? I've had someone suggest that maybe the axle housing is bent... how would I go about checking for that easily? This is a wagoneer D44 with RE brackets that I welded on myself, but I was very careful not to overheat things... Took it slow and swapped sides a lot. I sure hope it's not bent, that would be the worst possible scenario I think.
Background and setup info: This is in a front wagoneer D44 with drive slugs and 5.13 gears. I'm running 32" tires right now because I can't afford the 35's I want to get, but both are the same diameter and pressure. I did the R&P setup myself, and my pattern is perfect and the backlash is at .007". The carrier is a new one, not used (unless it was hot tanked before I bought it).
What I've done: I tore it all down yesterday, removed the carrier, removed the lockright, inspected all the couplers and spacers and used the lockright installation manual as a reference to check the clearances they show in there. While I had it apart, I noticed that the driver's side clearance between the spacers and cross shaft was a little wider than the passenger side, so I added a very thin shim between the thrust washer (YES, the thrust washers are installed) and the coupler on that side, and now the clearances are with in .003". This is basically a brand new lockright, so all the ratchetting teeth are in good shape, it's not an old worn out lockright (if it was, I would just throw it away and buy a detroit). All the springs are in place and in good shape, no broken pins.
What the heck else could be going on here? I'm seriously at my wit's end with this thing, I was so furious last night after I put it all back together and it did the same thing as before that I just parked the rig and decided not to even touch it until this weekend, but it's just killing me, I've gotta know what's going on, because if I can't fix it I'm just going to bust out the CC and order a detroit.
Anybody got any ideas? Where should the "spacer to cross shaft" clearance measurement be taken... on the flat part of the cross shaft or the round part? Should I just take it apart and keep adding shims until it locks up and works properly? I've had someone suggest that maybe the axle housing is bent... how would I go about checking for that easily? This is a wagoneer D44 with RE brackets that I welded on myself, but I was very careful not to overheat things... Took it slow and swapped sides a lot. I sure hope it's not bent, that would be the worst possible scenario I think.
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