Dana 30 Spartan Locker Issues

[Arizona TJ]

Installed a spartan locker in my 99 Tj front dana 30. Also at same time installed new seals, unit bearings and u-joints. Install went well and while still on jack stands, tested rotation lock & release per the spartan manual and it all checked out good. Set it back on the ground and backed it out of the garage and noticed a loud bang that jerks the steering wheel. Not wanting to damage anything and unsure if this is normal she's back in the garage. I read others (previous posts) with this same issue but with no resolution. Note: This jeep only has 75k mile and everything was working perfectly prior to the installation. Thanks for the help.
UPDATE: Once the gear lube got into the locker all is good no banging anymore. So my whole issue was that I put the springs in dry.

 

[KennethS]

Glad to hear it's working properly. I installed a similar lunchbox locker up front and it made a world of difference in off-road capability. You will love it!

 

[Arizona TJ]

Thanks, I am so relieved I don't have to tear it apart again.

 

[707kevin]

I had a spartan in my yj for 25k miles no problem. Enjoy!

 

[ebob281]

My new locker is doing the same thing.... 4 Wheel Parts installed it and told me that "that's just how front lunchbox lockers work", which there's no way.. I can't even make a full left turn in 2wd.

So I took the locker apart, confirmed they installed it correctly, replaced my u-joints and hub assemblies, used a heavy gear oil.. and it does the same thing still. When I compressed the springs to install, oil came out of the little holes used to retain the springs, so it doesn't seem like my springs are dry.

I'm stuck on what else it could be. I feel like I've checked everything. Spartan simply told me that they don't recommend these on applications that don't have locking hubs. And said it's probably from u-joints or drag in the transfer case. Here's the link to mine.. Yes it's a JK. I also have a TJ, but it's not locked.

 

[JMT]

My new locker is doing the same thing.... 4 Wheel Parts installed it and told me that "that's just how front lunchbox lockers work", which there's no way.. I can't even make a full left turn in 2wd.

So I took the locker apart, confirmed they installed it correctly, replaced my u-joints and hub assemblies, used a heavy gear oil.. and it does the same thing still. When I compressed the springs to install, oil came out of the little holes used to retain the springs, so it doesn't seem like my springs are dry.

I'm stuck on what else it could be. I feel like I've checked everything. Spartan simply told me that they don't recommend these on applications that don't have locking hubs. And said it's probably from u-joints or drag in the transfer case. Here's the link to mine.. Yes it's a JK. I also have a TJ, but it's not locked.

I don't have a Spartan, but that does not look right at all. I have a PowerTrax No Slip and it's invisible in 2H.

 

[ebob281]

I don't have a Spartan, but that does not look right at all. I have a PowerTrax No Slip and it's invisible in 2H.

Agreed. Something had to be wrong, but I'm at a loss for what it could be. There's only so many parts to this locker.. the teeth matched up, springs seemed good, the spacing between the halves were within tolerance. I am dreading opening up this axle again. I haven't driven this Jeep in 6 months.

I may just need to call it a loss and go with a PowerTrax or similar.

 

[Arizona TJ]

I don't have a Spartan, but that does not look right at all. I have a PowerTrax No Slip and it's invisible in 2H.

Did you do the little Spartan pre-check on the jacks? Sounded just like yours when I backed it out of the garage, so I put it back up on stands and did the Spartan pre-check thats in the manual, and it operated as specified. Backed it back out of the garage, took a test drive and I can't even hear it, works great off road too. This is the gear oil I used.

 

[ebob281]

I’ll be trying this as soon as I get home. In your instance, it’s weird what manually turning it will do to get the oil to the spring cavities.

Since mine was previously assembled, when I took it apart and retained the springs, oil oozed out of those little retention holes. So I can’t imagine they are still dry.

I’ll report back shortly. Appreciate the input.

 

[SouthernTJ2000]

I’ll be trying this as soon as I get home. In your instance, it’s weird what manually turning it will do to get the oil to the spring cavities.

Since mine was previously assembled, when I took it apart and retained the springs, oil oozed out of those little retention holes. So I can’t imagine they are still dry.

I’ll report back shortly. Appreciate the input.

Hey man, curious how this turned out for you? I'm about to pull the trigger on a lunchbox and was thinking of the Spartan.

 

[SouthernTJ2000]

Installed a spartan locker in my 99 Tj front dana 30. Also at same time installed new seals, unit bearings and u-joints. Install went well and while still on jack stands, tested rotation lock & release per the spartan manual and it all checked out good. Set it back on the ground and backed it out of the garage and noticed a loud bang that jerks the steering wheel. Not wanting to damage anything and unsure if this is normal she's back in the garage. I read others (previous posts) with this same issue but with no resolution. Note: This jeep only has 75k mile and everything was working perfectly prior to the installation. Thanks for the help.
UPDATE: Once the gear lube got into the locker all is good no banging anymore. So my whole issue was that I put the springs in dry.

So how are you liking the Spartan? Its on my short list of LB lockers.