Is my Eaton e-locker re-buildable?
- Thread starter 2005LJU
- Start date
There is a real problem now with Eaton getting both lockers and parts. I've been waiting 3 months for a locker and have no idea if/when I'll actually see it. Others are in a similar situation. FWIW, it's becoming clear to me that this is one of the reasons people like ARB lockers. Yes, they are a little more complicated to install, but, done right, they are reliable and parts are readily available. Just something to consider!
There isn't much to fail really. The only issue that sometimes happens is the retaining tabs on the electronic collar break off and it needs to be replaced. This part is readily available and Eaton even overnighted me the parts when mine broke (for free).
Well I know of 2 people with downed rigs recently b/c ARB had no repair parts available and suggested to them that they buy a complete locker if they needed a quick repair. One of them actually decided it was time to go to an old-fashioned Detroit since it wasn't the first time his rig was down for an ARB issue.
I think @machoheadgames was waiting >6 months for a small bushing for his ARB bumper that rendered it useless until the new part arrived.
My JKU buddy has blown through 2 ARB seals in his RockJock 60 in 4 years.
I think everyone is having supply issues now as most the parts are outsourced overseas...
Well crap, now you burst my bubble!
Seriously though, this is one of the reasons I'm just waiting. Everyone is indeed having supply issues. However, I didn't realize getting small parts was a problem for ARB also!
Haha - not trying to bust any bubbles, just keeping things in perspective...Well crap, now you burst my bubble!
Seriously though, this is one of the reasons I'm just waiting. Everyone is indeed having supply issues. However, I didn't realize getting small parts was a problem for ARB also!
You can now get on a "waiting list" for a new Toyota. It's a crazy time...
It was about 4 months for the ARB bushing, but sure felt like 6! Huge pain in the ass.
And then I waited about 9 months for that Tuffy switch panel. One simple flat piece of metal with a bent up backside piece for rigidity and two threaded holes. January 25 to September 21 when it shipped. Good times.
I personally haven't met anyone lately that prefers an ARB anymore over an Eaton, but living in Texas I don't know many with lockers anyways. However I observe a lot on the web. Seems like the only failure the Eatons have is the retaining tabs breaking like PC said, which seems to be related to how poorly they shipped the locker. I've bought a total of 5 TrueTracs and I've been sent pics of boxes of lockers I ordered and all of them besides two were completely destroyed boxes in shipping. Thankfully there is not really anything to die in the Truetrac in shipping. The Elocker though suffers the tab failure. They really need to do something about their packing. Throwing a carrier in a plastic bag and slinging it into a large box to roll around in is NOT a way to ship.
On the other hand, I see O-ring failures pop up in ARBs fairly commonly. Surely some of those were installed by competent gear/locker installers and yet, the failures still happen. Not to mention they end up more expensive once you throw in a compressor too. Not saying anyone shouldn't buy one, but I hardly see it as a better choice, I'd go Eaton and hope for good packaging and inspect the tabs thoroughly before install.
I edited the comment to add two pics I had on hand of TrueTracs I ordered, they were all bad but these were some highlights
I would also add that not all Eaton lockers are perfect. The 8.8 design is pretty bad. It has a much higher failure rate due to the way it engages. I forget what is different (looked into it years back) but the way it engages is very different from the Dana 30/35/44 designs. Whatever the difference is, it's pretty weak and known to fail. I would not run one of those no matter what. I think it is only 2 pinion as well contrary to 3 or 4 pinion designs in the dana axles.
The simplicity of the Eaton is why I'm holding out. I have a couple friends who have been running them for a while and speak highly of them. Fortunately, my rig isn't down or waiting on it. In my case, I have all the parts to build a HP30, except the 30 spline Eaton. Someday it will get here!I personally haven't met anyone lately that prefers an ARB anymore over an Eaton, but living in Texas I don't know many with lockers anyways. However I observe a lot on the web. Seems like the only failure the Eatons have is the retaining tabs breaking like PC said, which seems to be related to how poorly they shipped the locker. I've bought a total of 5 TrueTracs and I've been sent pics of boxes of lockers I ordered and all of them besides two were completely destroyed boxes in shipping. Thankfully there is not really anything to die in the Truetrac in shipping. The Elocker though suffers the tab failure. They really need to do something about their packing. Throwing a carrier in a plastic bag and slinging it into a large box to roll around in is NOT a way to ship.
On the other hand, I see O-ring failures pop up in ARBs fairly commonly. Surely some of those were installed by competent gear/locker installers and yet, the failures still happen. Not to mention they end up more expensive once you throw in a compressor too. Not saying anyone shouldn't buy one, but I hardly see it as a better choice, I'd go Eaton and hope for good packaging and inspect the tabs thoroughly before install.
I edited the comment to add two pics I had on hand of TrueTracs I ordered, they were all bad but these were some highlights
I didn't realize the lockers themselves were so backordered but I also haven't looked in a while. That sucks. I miss 2019. I ordered gears and a locker and really took for granted the fact that both of them delivered to their destination in like 2 days at most. Not to mention I price matched the e locker and got over $200 off for it through ECGS because 4wheelparts was having a sale on the 30 spline locker only. 'twas a simpler time...
I finally got both my super 30 and 35 e-lockers... working on the 4.88 swap now...
Note there is a 002 revision on the end of the part numbers... something was updated...so if it's used I'd determine if it's the original design or the updated one.
Also possible they didn't change the design and the 002 is for different sourced parts.
-Mac
Note there is a 002 revision on the end of the part numbers... something was updated...so if it's used I'd determine if it's the original design or the updated one.
Also possible they didn't change the design and the 002 is for different sourced parts.
-Mac
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