Spartan Locker Question

97JadeTJ

97JadeTJ

TJ Enthusiast
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Aug 14, 2020
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776
Location
Hot Springs, AR
So I got one of the $176 Spartan lockers off Amazon and got it installed Tuesday in my font Dana 30… i’m aware of the fact of the ratcheting and the unloading of the locker on tight turns in 2wd but a couple of times they sounded pretty bad!… The installation went so smooth I forgot to check the gap so today I pulled the diff off and the gap is .141… according to the Spartan the tolerances are .145 to .170… I did remove the thrust washers according to spartan… Has anybody else installed a spartan where the tolerances we’re a little under?… everything seems to be working like it’s supposed to, drives great on the highway, four-wheel-drive low and high works great, driving in the city is fine, it’s just those tight turns that lead off the loud bang…

I also installed a Detroit Truetrac in the dana 35… I’m probably gonna wish I put it in the front also…I’m very happy with it!
 
Same thing out of mine. Removed the shims to get it in spec, ran a thicker oil hoping it would smooth it out. Most times if I take my time turning into a spot it’s quiet. Other times it’ll unload with a bang and then ratchet as normal. I have also noticed that it’s much smoother with the front driveshaft removed. Since I’ve removed the front shaft I haven’t heard any aggressive noises in tight turns.

My only real issue with mine is its characteristics on snowy roads in 4Hi. It’ll drive you straight off the road under power when that locker engages.
 
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So I’ve read that the Powertrax no slip is quiet while In 2wd and effective during 4hi and 4lo but how does it act on snow and ice… like a Spartan or is It more manageable?… we don’t get a lot of ice and snow here in AR but when we do the Spartan does not sound like a good choice…
 
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97JadeTJ said:
So I’ve read that the Powertrax no slip is quiet while In 2wd and effective during 4hi and 4lo but how does it act on snow and ice… like a Spartan or is It more manageable?… we don’t get a lot of ice and snow here in AR but when we do the Spartan does not sound like a good choice…
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I would imagine that all auto lockers act the same in snowy conditions, as they all operate under the same principles and design.

Btw.... I have an aussie locker. The ratcheting is loud and obvious... though the unloading seems minimal.
 
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Sancho said:
Btw.... I have an aussie locker. The ratcheting is loud and obvious... though the unloading seems minimal.
Click to expand...

I’ve read where others say the same and others say it’s loud… mine did it Thursday while I was rounding an isle passing a couple at Walmart, it was so violent that the man yelled at me and said I just broke something, it sounded like a u-joint or axle snapped… after examining it yesterday all I found was the .004 off of minimal tolerance… I’m just wondering if that .004 is the problem… I’m leaning on getting another Truetrac for the frontend and sending this one back to Amazon… I can’t imagine anyone driving around with one of these as a daily driver making this kind of sound!
 
In my experience with my Aussie locker, the violent unloading which results in the loud bang eventually rounds off the sharp edges of the teeth. After a couple of years mine were so rounded that it wouldn't stay locked when turning in 4wd.
I now think of lunchbox lockers like ammo mags, cheap and disposable.
 
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97JadeTJ said:
I’ve read where others say the same and others say it’s loud… mine did it Thursday while I was rounding an isle passing a couple at Walmart, it was so violent that the man yelled at me and said I just broke something, it sounded like a u-joint or axle snapped… after examining it yesterday all I found was the .004 off of minimal tolerance… I’m just wondering if that .004 is the problem… I’m leaning on getting another Truetrac for the frontend and sending this one back to Amazon… I can’t imagine anyone driving around with one of these as a daily driver making this kind of sound!
Click to expand...

Ya.. I had expectations of a quieter front locker. Not silent... but quit enough to not draw attention.

Right now it sounds like my bike as a kid, when I put a playing card in the spokes.

But lunchbox lockers are inexpensive, easy to install, capable, and reliable. Cant complain bout that!
 
Thanks to everyone for their insight… after some research i will be replacing the Spartan locker

1666555491208.png



with this Spartan Locker LSD

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It appears to be real close to the Eaton True Trac… I couldn’t find anything negative on it and 1/2 the price of the Eaton…
 
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97JadeTJ said:
Thanks to everyone for their insight… after some research i will be replacing the Spartan locker

View attachment 369488


with this Spartan Locker LSD

View attachment 369489


It appears to be real close to the Eaton True Trac… I couldn’t find anything negative on it and 1/2 the price of the Eaton…
Click to expand...

Soooo…did you install the LSD? Wondering how you like it. I may copy you…
 
Lckydrw said:
Soooo…did you install the LSD? Wondering how you like it. I may copy you…
Click to expand...

Yep, it’s in… you don’t notice it at all in 2wd but when In 4wd if 1 of the front starts spinning the other catches… I haven’t been in situation of having a tire off the ground so cant comment on that… I like to have all 4 tires planted… it’s worked as I expected it to so far…
 
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I bought my Jeep with a Spartan up front and was very quite.I had it regeared and had them put in a new spring kit and now I’ve got the unload pop and bangs. Next gear oil change I’ll be swapping in the old springs.
Not sure if it’s the new tight tolerances of the overhaul or new spring kit.
 
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