Spartan will not unlock

Lckydrw

Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2020
Messages
60
Location
Birmingham, Al
Purchased a HP30 from a XJ guy on FB and installed in my TJ. The axle came with an installed spartan lunchbox. Now that I have the axle installed, I can not get the spartan to unlock. It locks up at the slightest right turn and will not unlock even when the wheel is straightened out. Left is normal operation and ratcheting.

With the front end off the ground I can spin the driver tire and it will spin both. If I spin the passenger tire, it won’t spin both. I’m leaning to it maybe out of tolerance specs on the passenger side but that’s all I know to check. Anyone ever experienced this or have any other ideas I should check while the Dif is apart???
 
I would also inspect the guide pins between the two main bodies. I have seen more than one get bent or damaged. That may cause one side to not release.
 
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I would also inspect the guide pins between the two main bodies. I have seen more than one get bent or damaged. That may cause one side to not release.

I think you nailed it. No shims in the spartan as per the instructions. All four guide pins are damaged at an angle that allowed them to almost “walk out” from their slot and forced the teeth to engage. I’m going to order some pins and reinstall. I’ll update soon.

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@PurpleTJAZ After speaking with USA Standard Gear and getting a second opinion from my local shop, my carrier is worn and keeping the spartan locker gap too wide. So the new pins will fail eventually. I can’t shim it as Spartans are engineered to ride against the carrier.

I pulled the locker and placed my spider gears in the front for now. If I need to buy a carrier, new locker and set gears…I’m saving for an e locker.

The Jeep is back together and driving like it used to.