Thread: opinions on detroit locker

Of the diff locks, they are the worst. Much better off with a selectable diff lock like an ARB.
Detroits are very hard on axles as they they only drive through one axle a lot of the time. They also have a tendency to shock load themselves through their continual engaging and disengaging. Have been known the disintegrate, taking the axle with them.
Can be a real bastard of side slopes.
The price difference is not worth it.

Originally Posted by r.over

Of the diff locks, they are the worst. Much better off with a selectable diff lock like an ARB.
Detroits are very hard on axles as they they only drive through one axle a lot of the time. They also have a tendency to shock load themselves through their continual engaging and disengaging. Have been known the disintegrate, taking the axle with them.
Can be a real bastard of side slopes.
The price difference is not worth it.

So you've owned one?

Seen a broken one?

Only drive one axle alot of the time?

The ONLY thing in there I agree with, is they are a ***** on SOME side slopes

Originally Posted by rovercare

So you've owned one?

Seen a broken one?

Only drive one axle alot of the time?

The ONLY thing in there I agree with, is they are a ***** on SOME side slopes

Yes

Yes

Can't do anything else without spider gears. Only drives both axles when driving in a straight line with no bumps in the road

Unless there have been dramatic design changes in Detroit Lockers since I owned mine, this is how they work. When one wheel is slipping significantly, the dog clutches engage and drive both wheels, that is the diff is "locked". Otherwise it works just like a normal diff. A limited slip diff. is different. In the case of a limited slip diff. when one wheel is slipping, the clutches disengage that wheel and drive only the opposite wheel.

The Detroit Locker in my experiece was a dramatic improvement when used in very powerful street cars capable of heavy wheelspin on dry bitumen. The limited slips I had been using would clutch from side to side when the vehicle was used hard and thus providing a good bit of rear wheel steer and a weaving progress. The Detroit Locker engaged both wheels equally and progress was in a straight line even with extreme wheelspin.

Originally Posted by r.over

Yes

Yes

Can't do anything else without spider gears. Only drives both axles when driving in a straight line with no bumps in the road

Tell me more, yours that broke? what car, tyres etc? what broke?

I've "heard" and "read on the internet" of axles breaking and takeing out the locker, but that is all, I have to mates who've run this in the rear of Rangies, one for about 10 years the other for 4ish, without issue, they have a different way of driving, when the pace is on, but even after seeing broken axles, they're fine

Originally Posted by rovercare

Tell me more, yours that broke? what car, tyres etc? what broke?

I've "heard" and "read on the internet" of axles breaking and takeing out the locker, but that is all, I have to mates who've run this in the rear of Rangies, one for about 10 years the other for 4ish, without issue, they have a different way of driving, when the pace is on, but even after seeing broken axles, they're fine

I have no wish to get into a debate about it. The person starting this thread asked for views on Detroits and they have been provided.

I'm interested, They seem like a good solution to a light user like me. I don't really want compressors and air lines and switches. etc.

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

Unless there have been dramatic design changes in Detroit Lockers since I owned mine, this is how they work. When one wheel is slipping significantly, the dog clutches engage and drive both wheels, that is the diff is "locked". Otherwise it works just like a normal diff. A limited slip diff. is different. In the case of a limited slip diff. when one wheel is slipping, the clutches disengage that wheel and drive only the opposite wheel.

The Detroit Locker in my experiece was a dramatic improvement when used in very powerful street cars capable of heavy wheelspin on dry bitumen. The limited slips I had been using would clutch from side to side when the vehicle was used hard and thus providing a good bit of rear wheel steer and a weaving progress. The Detroit Locker engaged both wheels equally and progress was in a straight line even with extreme wheelspin.

A standard diff applies equal torque to both axles at all times. This is the function of the spider gears. A detroit does not have spider gears. It operates by engaging or disengaging each axle. It is not a limited slip diff. Without spider gears it cannot act like a normal diff at any time. ARB, Maxi-drive, and others have spider gears and act like a normal diff when not locked.